VVA Chapter 1069 Meeting Report for: April, 4-8-2015 [posted on: 4-21-2015]
The monthly chapter meeting was held at Mikeska’s BBQ, El Campo, TX., this past Wednesday (4-8-2015).
There were 40 members and guests present, along with 8 spouses.
President Leonard Sternadel declared the meeting open at 1900 hours and the following business was transacted.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was recited and a prayer was said.
Benny Krpec and Arzell Thornton were introduced as a prospective members, and Rodney Spencer was recognized as our newest member.
Following the prayer, Supak played a newly discovered music video on our projector screen. It is called "Names On A Wall" and
is a very moving song & video about the Vietnam Wall. Use the link below to view the video on Youtube, however, be prepared
and have a tissue box handy.
CLICK HERE to view the video on Youtube
The meeting was recessed for the meal and reconvened at 1945.
The minutes of the last meeting were approved as presented.
VVA Chapter 1069 Service Officer Dwight Winkler presented the members a handout of VA benefits that
included his contact information. The handout defined the HISA Grant Program that helped a disabled
veteran make their home handicapped accessible. He then discussed the Automobile Assistance Program.
He again stated that Liberty Tax Service would provide free filing for veterans. He added that the VA
had made changes to the benefits requirement by requesting only income numbers rather than one’s net worth.
The new Choice Card was said to not be working well at all. Use the link below to view or print Dwight's handout.
CLICK HERE to view or print the handout
Supak explained that the chapter's Bio & Photo Album/Booklet project has been modified and expanded to
include the following items...
There are now 2 ways to participate: (1) The chapter will create a personal Bio & Photo booklet for you,
and your Bio & Photo pages are added into the chapter Bio & Photo Album for viewing by chapter members,
(2) The chapter will create a personal Bio & Photo booklet for you, But, your Bio & Photo pages are NOT
placed into the Album. The latter method was added for those of you who still may have some privacy issues
sharing your military/Vietnam experience with others in the chapter.
Along with your personal Bio & Photo Booklet, you will also receive a CD containing all files that Bob used
to create the booklet. You or some family member can then print copies of your Bio & Photo booklet to then be
given to your children, grandchildren, parents, brother, sister or other family members.
Bob is also now doing either recorded phone interviews or live interviews on those days of our chapter meetings.
Just contact Bob for an interview schedule.
Sternadel then turned the floor over to nomination chairman Rusty Butts prior to officer and BOD elections.
Butts asked if there were any nomination from the floor for any of the offices. There being none ballots
containing the committee’s recommendations were distributed to each member. The ballots were collected and
the committee retired into the adjacent room to tally the votes.
Sternadel reminded all that the Travelling Wall will be back in El Campo July 16-20, 2015. Saturday the 18th will be the day for the Memorial Project for the crosses for the fallen local and area veterans along with placing a rose on each cross. Member participation is needed to help with the events for the day. He added that the Board had approved a $1,000.00 donation to help offset the $10,000.00 cost of bringing the wall back. Robert Floyd will be the speaker along with Don Dorcey. Hand salute practice and marching will be covered before the next meeting - please try and come early.
CLICK HERE for more details regarding the event
Chairman Butts then reported that the votes had been counted with the following chapter 1069 election results for 2015:
Chapter 1069 Officers for 2015/2016:
President Leonard Sternadel (return)
Vice President Frank Kulcak (return)
Sec/Tr John Steelman (return)
Chapter 1069 Board of Directors for 2015/2016:
Ed Kulcak (return)
Frank Laitkep (return)
Jimmy Neumann (return)
Bob Supak (new)
Sternadel asked for a motion to accept the elections as presented. Motion was made, and duly seconded, that the results be accepted. Vote for approval was unanimous.
Sternadel then declared the officers duly elected for a two year term.
Sternadel stated the annual Everyday Heroes fundraiser was pending.
Sternadel then thanked James Kulcak for his tireless work handling the raffle.
James then heartily thanked everyone for the outstanding participation in this
raffle - it turned out to be a huge success.
Sternadel informed the members that Gerry Mikeska had purchased a new flag with the money the
Chapter contributed towards the purchase. He asked if members could be involved with a picture
for the newspaper. This will take place at 6:30 before the next chapter May meeting. Please try
and attend and come early.
There being no further business, President Sternadel declared the meeting adjourned at 2040.