VVA Chapter 1069 Meeting Report for: May, 5-13-2015
[posted on: 5-15-2015]
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The meeting was held as usual in the meeting room of Mikeska's BBQ, located just off Hwy 59 in El Campo, TX.
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Chapter Members were asked to come early to this particular meeting so that a special flag raising ceremony could be held
for Gerry & Nick Mikeska, owners of Mikeska's BBQ. VVA Chapter 1069 donated the flag to the Mikeska brothers at
the 2014 Christmas party in appreciation for their continued support of our chapter. A few pictures of the flag
raising are shown below.
Everyone participated in the flag raising. The flag is a huge 20 x 38 feet in size!
The flagpole is 80 feet tall!
Getting a bit windy, but at least the rain held off.
She's going on up! You can't see him in the picture, but chapter vice president, Frank Kulcak, is doing the manual hand
cranking to raise the flag. By the time the flag reached the 80 foot mark, I think he was wishing that Gerry has installed
an electric flagpole hoist.
A final group salute as the flag nears the top of the flagpole.
Finally, at the top - 80 feet up!
A proper flag raising for sure.
More pictures and videos of the flag raising event may be seen on Mikeska's BBQ website and Facebook page.
Use the links below to access the webpage and Facebook page.
CLICK HERE to visit Mikeska's BBQ website
CLICK HERE to visit Mikeska's BBQ Facebook page
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Other pre-meeting business included some preparation for our upcoming participation in the Memorial Crosses Service being held
on Saturday, July 18, at the Vietnam Traveling Wall site.
Chapter President Leonard Sternadel explained how each chapter member would place a red rose at the foot of each small white
cross. We will need 26 volunteers to place red roses at that Saturday morning Service on July 18.
The boys also practiced a bit of Close-Order Drill that will be required for the Service. However, about the only
requirement will include a bit of short distance marching and a couple of "Left-Face" commands.
And finally, some Hand-Salute practice - yep, it's been a while since we've done any of this. For more information regarding the
5-day event when the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall comes to El Campo in July,
CLICK HERE
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There were 42 members and 14 guests present at the meeeting.
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President Leonard Sternadel declared the meeting open at 1900 hours and the following business was transacted.
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The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was recited and a prayer was said.
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Special guests included representatives from Blake Fahrenthold and Phil Stephenson's offices. Phil Stephenson's wife, Barbara
was also in attendance. Also, essay winner, Hanna Foster and her family were present.
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Benny Krpec and Harold Peikert were introduced as new members of the chapter. Welcome home boys!
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The meeting was then recessed for the meal and reconvened at 1945.
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A KPRC channel 2 Houston News video interview by Bill Balezza was shown to the membership. The topic was
"The fall of Saigon - 40 years later". Chapter member Stephen Brady was one of the Vietnam veterans in the
interview. Click on the link below to watch the short video interview.
CLICK HERE to watch the video
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Special guest, Barbara Stephenson presented a huge panoramic picture of the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veteran Monument
to the Chapter and to Gerry & Nick Mikeska (see photo below). Note that Barbara is the wife of Phil Stephenson, State Representative
from Austin, and good friend of VVA chapter 1069. VVA chapter 1069 would like to send a warm Thank-you to Phil and
his wife Barbara for this special gift - it will be greatly appreciated by all our chapter members as it is on
display at each of our future chapter meetings.
The photo was taken at the TCVVM dedication ceremony that was held in March of 2014 on the grounds of the Texas Capitol
in Austin Texas. Gerry said he will be hanging the picture in the Mikeska's meeting room for all to enjoy.
Above photo, left to right - Barbara Stephenson, Chapter President, Leonard Sternadel, Gerry Mikeska and chapter member, Paul Francoeur.
Many members of chapter 1069 traveled to Austin in 2014 to attend the TCVVM ceremony.
CLICK HERE to see photos of the 2014 trip to Austin.
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Special guest, Hannah Foster read her winning essay regarding the Vietnam War. She was one of three contest winners
across the state for the TSC VVA Education Scholarship, where each winner received $500.00. Hannah is the granddaughter
of chapter member, Joe Krasucky. The chapter congratulates Hannah on her winning essay!
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The minutes of the last meeting were approved as presented.
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VVA Chapter 1069 Service Officer Dwight Winkler presented the members a handout of various VA benefits that included his contact information.
He also stated this information is on the website and any of the organizations has access to this. He briefly outlined the life
insurance procedures and noted there were changes to the 40 mile rule for traveling to a medical facility. He also stated that the
VA is still having Doctor-participation problems with the new "Choice Card" program.
Dwight is shown in above photo with all his VA benefits related material in front of him. Dwight is a lifetime member of VVA
and attends all of our meetings. Much thanks to Dwight for all the work he puts in to help the members of our chapter with
their VA benefits issues and claims.
CLICK HERE to view or print Dwight's handout for this meeting.
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Sternadel then thanked the nominating committee for their work on the chapter Officers and Directors elections that were held
at last month's chapter meeting.
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Rusty Butts gave an update for the offshore fishing trip. He is still working on getting a date nailed down for the trip.
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Sternadel reminded all that the Vietnam Travelling Memorial Wall will be back in El Campo July 16-20, 2015. Saturday the
18th will be the day for the Memorial Service for the crosses for the fallen local and area veterans along with the placing
of a rose on each cross. A lot of Member participation will be needed to help with the events for the 5-day event. More
information regarding the 5-day event, including program schedules, escort route information and the details for the
special Saturday morning ceremony can be found on our website.
CLICK HERE to view the information.
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Sternadel stated the annual Everyday Heroes fundraiser (held down at Surfside) was pending and that the organization may
be instead moving to a fundraiser schedule of every 2 years.
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Sternadel then gave a brief report on the TSC meeting that he and Bob Supak attended in El Paso a couple of weeks ago.
Several main topics were discussed at the meeting. (1) The late onset of PTSD in Vietnam veterans which could be due
to more Vietnam veterans are now retiring with nothing to do but reflect on the past war experiences. (2) More illness
in Vietnam veterans and their children due to Agent Orange exposure. There was also an annoucement that there is going
to be an upcoming Town Hall Meeting in Amarillo regarding Agent Orange. (3) In August, VVA National is going to have
a special discounted $100 fee for VVA life memberships. VVA National eventually wants all members to be life members
so that the organization can save administrative money by eliminating costly yearly subscription renewals.
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There being no further business, President Sternadel declared the meeting adjourned at 2055.
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Thanks to chapter Secretary/Treasurer, John Steelman, for providing the meeting minutes.
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