VVA Chapter 1069 Meeting Report for: April, 4-13-2016
[posted on: 5-3-2016]
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The monthly VVA chapter 1069 meeting was held in the big banquet room at Mikeska's BBQ (located on Hwy 59), in El Campo, TX.
Above photo shows some of the meeting attendees gathering early in the evening.
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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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Sternadel then introduced Jimmy Dickson of Wharton as a prospective member.
"WELCOME HOME" Jimmie!
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The meeting was then recessed for the meal and reconvened at 1945.
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Sternadel sadly announced that photographer Raymond Fisher had passed away. Raymond had worked very hard taking hundreds of pictures
during the time that our chapter members were participating in the "Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall" ceremony last year when the Wall
visited El Campo. A friend of Raymond, Bonny Johnson, came to the meeting and brought with her many of the framed pictures (maybe a
dozen or more) that Raymond took during the event, to share with the chapter members. All the pictures will again be displayed for all
to see at the next chapter meeting (5-11-2016). For those new members of our chapter, use the link below to see the full report (including
some of Raymond's pictures) of our chapter's participation when the Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall came to El Campo last year.
CLICK HERE to read the full report and see some of Raymond's photos
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The minutes of the last meeting were approved as presented. Use the link below to read the report for last month's March meeting, or
the report for any of our chapter's past monthly meetings.
CLICK HERE to read any chapter monthly meeting report
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The chapter's bank balance was then presented by the secretary, John Steelman.
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Our chapter's VVA Service Officer Dwight Winkler (see photo below), then gave a presentation (with handout) regarding various Veteran's Benefits information.
Dwight again stressed that Congressman Blake Farenthold's new Veteran's Advocate, Vanessa Hicks-Callaway, has been able to help three
local veterans that had previously been ignored by other VSOs. He stresses that she is proving to be a very valuable asset for our membership
and that you should visit or call her if you need help with some Veterans Benefits issue.
Use the link below to view or print Dwight's April PDF handout packet. Topics in the April handout included the items shown below...
* Contact Info: Dwight Winkler, VVA Chapter 1069 Veterans Service Officer.
* Contact Info: Don Montoya, Wharton County Veterans Service Officer.
* Contact Info: Vanessa Hicks-Callaway, New Veterans Advocate in Congressman Blake Farenthold's office, Victoria, Texas.
(1) IOM Upgrades Bladder Cancer and Hypothroidism
(2) Veterans get Telephonic Health Care Application Option
(3) Backlog of VA Claims is Down
(4) New/Updated Veterans Health Benefits Handbook is now Available
(5) The Various; VA Health Care System Priorities Groups
CLICK HERE to View the April meeting Handout (and others) from Dwight's Veterans Benefits Webpage
CLICK HERE to View the PDF Handout Directly
Use the link below to read the full report (on our website), regarding Vanessa Hicks-Callaway's new position within Blake Farenthold's (Congressman over district 27) office in Victoria.
CLICK HERE for More Information on Vanessa Hicks-Callaway
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The following additional topics were then covered:
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Sternadel then reminded everyone that the annual chapter "Catfish Catch, Fry & Eat" event will be held at Sternadel’s pond on Saturday, May 14th.
For those of you who may have not yet attended one of these annual events, use the
link below to see the report for our past 2013 and 2014 catfish events. Note that we have not yet posted a report for the past 2015
catfishing event.
CLICK HERE to Read About the 2013 Catfishing Party
CLICK HERE to Read About the 2014 Catfishing Party
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The annual chapter "Stand Down" event will be held at Firebase Helen, Saturday, June 11th. The afternoon & evening event
is intended only for our Veteran members. For those of you who have not yet attended one of these Stand Downs, please try
and attend - you will enjoy it. This is a great opportunity to meet and mingle with your fellow chapter members in a relaxed
and friendly setting "by the lake", and under a covered enclosure. Fishing gear is provided and the fish are always biting.
BBQ, drink & music are provided by our host and the chapter. More information will be presented at the next meeting.
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A reminder that the Spring VVA TSC (Texas State Council) Conference will be held in Victoria April 15-16.
Vice President, Frank Kulcak, made a motion to elect President Sternadel and Sec/Tr Steelman as delegates to the meeting.
Dwight Winkler seconded the motion and the membership vote for approval was unanimous.
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Chapter member and VVA TSC Secretary, Stephen Brady, has thrown his hat in the ring and is running for president of the
VVA Texas State Council. A change is needed and Stephen is the man to bring the organization forward. Good luck to Stephen
with the election. Stephen is currently a dedicated, meticulous and responsible officer (Secretary) in the TSC and would do
a great job as president.
UPDATE: 5-3-2016
Unfortunately we have to report that Stephen lost his bid for president of the VVA Texas State Council. The election was held
during the recent TSC conference in Victoria. And because of his running for TSC president, he no longer holds the position of
TSC Secretary. The chapter membership will miss all the weekly updates that Stephen would send to us while he was TSC Secretary.
It's very doubtful that his replacement will be as fastidious as Stephen was with respect to the email dissemination of VVA
National and VVA TSC related information.
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Sternadel reminded the members about the upcoming Vietnam War Summit to be held April 26-28 in Austin. This 3-day event will be held at the LBJ Library
on the grounds of the UT college campus and will honor all Vietnam Veterans. Chapter member and TSC Secretary, Stephen Brady, stated this was a once in
a lifetime experience.
UPDATE: 5-3-2016
Several members of our chapter did attend the event, including our chapter president, Leonard Sternadel. See photo below for the names of
the other chapter attendees.
Above photo shows the members of VVA Chapter 1069 that attended the Summit on the first day of the 3-day event.
Left to right: Larry Nix, Leonard Sternadel (Dana also attended the event), Laurie & Stephen Brady.
Above photo shows Leonard (our chapter president) receiving a memorial pin from the mayor of Austin. During the 3-day event, a Vietnam
Veteran memorial ceremony was held twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Any Vietnam veteran that attended the ceremony,
would have his/her named called out and would receive a memorial pin. We will show more photos of the Austin LBJ Vietnam Veterans Summit at
the May chapter meeting - so be sure to attend.
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Diane Neumann reported that the annual Jake Neumann Fishing Tournament fundraiser was a huge success and thanked all who participated.
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Sternadel then acknowledged the "Reflections" picture was now hanging on the wall in the Mikesa banquet room
(the room where we hold our meetings), and that everyone should take note. See the photo below.
The picture was presented to the Chapter by Wharton County Commissioner, Chris King, at the February chapter meeting.
Note that Commissioner King has been VERY supportive of our Chapter through the past 4 years.
Use the link below to read the full story regarding the presentation of the picture to our chapter at the February meeting.
Note that the picture has a very interesting history and background story. It is well worth the time to check out the
link below.
CLICK HERE to read full report Chris King's Picture Donation
And while we're on the subject of hanging pictures, note that our chapter is getting some nice representation on the
wall of Mikeska's banquet room - see photo below.
Above photo - Note There are now 3 pictures hanging on the wall in Mikeska's banquet room. They are there
mostly because of our chapter's monthly usage of and presence at Mikeska's BBQ.
Above photo - The small picture at the far left is taken from the local El Campo newspaper and shows our chapter members
hanging a very BIG flag in front of Mikeska's BBQ. The flag was presented to the Mikeska family by our chapter to show our
appreciation to the Mikeska family for all the support they have given us the past 4 years.
Use the link below to see full report that describes the flag hanging ceremony.
CLICK HERE to read full report on hanging the BIG Flag
Above photo - The picture to the far right is a panoramic view of the TCVVM dedication ceremony that was held in 2014
on the grounds of the Texas Capitol in Austin Texas. The picture was given to us by Phil Stephenson, State Representative, at the 2015
May chapter meeting. Use the link below to read about the presentation details at the chapter meeting.
CLICK HERE to read full report of Panoramic picture donation
For our newer members who may not be aware, many of our chapter members did attend the TCVVM dedication ceremony, that was held
in Austin on Saturday, March 29th, 2014. VVA Chapter 1069 provided a 56 passenger Coachways bus for the trip to Austin.
Approximately 54 Chapter members, spouses and supporters rode the bus to attend the dedication ceremony.
Click on the link belwo to read the full report of the trip.
CLICK HERE to read the full report of the TCVVM Dedication Ceremony
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Sternadel finally reminded each chapter member to consider participating in the Chapter's Bio & Photo Album/Booklet project.
This is your opportunity to leave a little something behind for your family to learn about and remember your Vietnam War service.
It's very easy to participate in this project as Bob does all the work. All information will be kept within the chapter.
If you're interested, please see Bob Supak at the next meeting or contact him via email.
At the present time, we have a total of 20 members who have participated in the project.
Above photo - At the next meeting, please take a look at the Bio & Photo album that is always set out on a table at the
front of the meeting area. It's very interesting to learn about your fellow chapter members and to find out when & where he/she served
during the Vietnam War - you may be surprised and find out that someone in the chapter served in the very same place you did.
Use the link below to read about the project and to View or Print the instruction packet.
And if you get a chance, talk to some of the guys who already have participated in the project and ask them what they think of it.
CLICK HERE to read about the Member Bio and Photo Album project
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There being no further business, President Sternadel declared the meeting adjourned at 2045.
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The Meeting Minutes were provided by: John F. Steelman, VVA Chapter 1069 Secretary & Treasurer - Thanks John!
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