VVA Chapter 1069 Meeting Report for: Feb, 2-8-2017
[posted on: 3-20-2017]
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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.
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A BIG Thank-You goes out to Dana Sternadel for baking and bringing several "Valentines Day" cakes for our chapter members!
They were well appreciated and enjoyed by everyone!
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President Leonard Sternadel declared the meeting open at 1900 hours and the following business transacted.
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The following Board members were present Sternadel, Kulcak, Neuman, and Supak.
Guests included Mike and Nancy Ryan, Harold Moore, and Dan Foytik.
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The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was recited and a prayer was said.
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On behalf of Everyday Heroes, Sternadel presented a service award to Adolph Belicek for the great work
he's done driving the Everyday Heroes van to the Houston VA Clinic, on a daily basis. Harold Moore
accepted the award because of a previous committment, Adolph was not able to attend the meeting.
For those who may not know, "Everyday Heroes" is a local Veterans-Help organization located in Wharton County.
One of their main projects/services is to provide daily VA Hospital Transportation (there-and-back) to the
Veterans Affair hospital in Houston. The Everyday Heroes van is available to all veterans. The van picks up
Veterans daily in El Campo and in Wharton. If you need a ride to the Veterans Affair hospital in Houston, call
(979) 543-3703. Use the link below to see more information on our website regarding Everyday Heroes.
CLICK HERE for more information about the Everyday Heroes Van-Transport Service
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The meeting was then recessed for the meal. At the end of the meal, members viewed a 22 minute documentary video
created by the Sternadel's son-in-law, Bret Granato. See a sample snapshot of the video below showing the Rose
ceremony.
The video was about our chapter's participation when the Vietnam
Traveling Memorial Wall was in El Campo in 2015. The main subject of the video was our chapter's Rose Ceremony that
commemorated Wharton County servicemen who were killed in Vietnam. The video also included actual war footage and
various photos from the Wall's four-day stay along with a very appropriate sound (music) track. A very professional
and high quality video. Note that the chapter has made enough copies of the video so that every member can have one
for free. The are available at every meeting for pickup at our PX table - Please be sure to get one!
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The meeting reconvened at 1955 hours.
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The minutes of the last meeting were approved as presented.
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In place of Dwight Winkler's normal Veteran's benefits presentation, he and Bob Supak gave a trial-run of
the presentation/handout that Dwight will give at the March 18th Agent Orange Town Hall Meeting in Victoria.
Chapter members were given copies of the presentation for their review and comments.
CLICK HERE to View or Print the AO Town Hall presentation handout
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Sternadel then covered the following topics:
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Sternadel asked for volunteers for various tasks at the Agent Orange Town Hall. The following persons volunteered:
Frank/Charla Kulcak; Materials Distribution: Randy Ratc1ift Travel: George McKelvy; Room Monitor:
Ron Miller/Randy Ratdliff; Lunch Coordinator Dana Sternadel Everyday Heroes will provide bus service from El Campo that day;
will probably leave at 8:15 and return by 5:00.
CLICK HERE to View or Print the AO Town Hall Promo page
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A nominating committee was elected. Nominating committee includes Rusty Butts, Robert Glazr and Frank Kulcak.
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State scholarship applications are and the deadline is March 11.
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Sternadel brought up "Operation ED-U-CATE", a contest sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans Assistance Fund
of Texas (VVAFT), in which participating VVA chapters in Texas can be awarded of four $100-$500 grants.
Entries require an essay and photos describing a chapter's community veteran based program; Supak's
Bio & Photo Album/Booklet project will be submitted for entry in the contest. Deadline for registering
is March 31, 2017. Use the link below to read the official contest entry requirements and learn more about the contest.
CLICK HERE to View or Print the ED-U-CATE contest entry criteria
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The "Wall That Heals", a replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall will be in Cuero February 9-12, 2017, 24 hours a day.
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The "40 & 8 Boxcar" will be on display atthe State Capitol Saturday, Feb 18, one day only celebrating the 100th
anniversary of WW2. The boxcar was given its name since it held either 40 soldiers or 8 horses.
CLICK HERE to learn about the 40 and 8 Boxcars
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The Spring TSC is being held Apr 14-16, which is Easter weekend; because of this, the chapter will not attend.
The National convention will be in New Orleans Aug 8-13; Sternadel explained this is the closest national convention
to our area, therefore, no costly flights involved, but the minimum cost of attending would be $1,064 without attending
the group meals and $1,314 including the group meals. The consensus was for the Sternadel's to attend and participate in all events.
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Sternadel gave an update on the local Vietnam veteran whose house completely burned in January of this year.
Many volunteers have assisted them, special thanks to chapter member Alan Kohleffel for his work on collecting
a huge amount of household goods and clothing for the family. Everyday Heroes donated a complete mobile home,
which has been moved to the family's homesite, but is currently awaiting a gravel base; Victoria County Commissioner
Burns coordinated a furniture donation from the Austin Furniture Bank in Georgetown.
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There being no further business, President Sternadel declared the meeting adjourned at 2045.
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Much thanks to our Vice President, Frank Kulcak, for providing the contents of this report.
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