- 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.
- VVA Chapter 1069 President, Leonard Sternadel, declared the meeting open at 1900 hours and the following business was transacted.
- We had a great turnout at this month's meeting (approx 40 total: members, spouses, guests) - A BIG Thanks to all those who attended!
- The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was recited and a prayer was said.
- The meeting was then recessed for the meal and reconvened at 1945.
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Sternadel then introduced long time friend of our chapter, Carol Wootton - see photo below.
Carol works in Congressman Blake Farenthold's office. She stopped by to let us know about Congressman Farenthold's upcoming
Mobile Casework Project, where his "Red Tape Cutter" specialist,
Vanessa Hicks-Callaway, will be holding mobile casework hours
to help constituents with issues involving the Department of Affairs, the IRS, Social Security Administration and more.
Vanessa will hold the meetings at various county locations in a 1-day period! All Veterans are invited to attend.
The first set of sessions will be held, starting this Wednesday, July 19th, 2017. See the 1-day detailed schedule listed below.
MOBILE CASEWORK OFFICE HOURS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 19TH, 2017 8:00 - 10:00 A.M.
Jackson County Service Building, Extension Office Kitchen
411 N. Wells, Edna, TX 77957
11:00 - 1:00 P.M.
Wharton County Veterans Service Office
1017 N. Alabama Rd., Wharton, TX 77488
2:00 - 4:00 P.M.
VFW Post 2438
1672 TX-60, Bay City, TX 77414
5:00 - 7:00 P.M.
VFW Post 4403
16 Konrad Rd., Port Lavaca, TX 77979
Please see flyer photo below. You may also use the associated link to either View or print the flyer. Or call the number listed on the flyer (361.884.2222) for more information.
CLICK HERE to View or Print the Flyer
Carol also announced that she will soon be leaving the Congressman's office to pursue other work opportunities.
She however wanted to let everyone know that Vanessa Hicks-Callaway is still the person to contact if you have
any problems or issues with the VA concerning your benefits or health care.
Use the link below to read more about both Carol and Vanessa on our website.
More Information on Carol Wootton and Vanessa Hicks,
- The minutes of the last meeting were approved as presented.
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Dwight Winkler (see photo below) then gave his monthly benefits presentation with 4-pg handout.
This month's handout from Dwight included all the topics shown below. Use the link below to View or Print the handout.
Pages 1
(1) BENEFITS CONTACT INFORMATION
Page 2
(3) YOUR INPUT TO CRUZ AND FARENTHOLD WORKED
(4) FREE LEGAL ADVICE CLINICS
(5) RULES FOR SALUTING THE FLAG
(6) VA CAREGIVER SUPPORT LINE
Page 3
(7) APRAISAL APPEAL NOTICES
(8) ONLINE EXCHANGE SHOPPING BEGINS SOON
(9) POSITIVE MARINE CORPS QUOTES
Page 4
(10) AARP ARTICLE - HOW TO LIVE TO 100
View or Print the June 2017 HandoutCLICK HERE to visit Dwight's Veterans Benefits page on our website
- Sternadel thanked all those that attended and helped with our presentation at the Veterans Appreciation Day event, that was held in Garwood last month. This is a yearly event sponsored by the Garwood/Nada Gadabouts Society. Use the link below read the full report on the event. 2017 Veterans Appreciation Day Event in Garwood,
- Sternadel then stated that the previously scheduled "Vietnam Veterans Family Day" at Ryan's Lake for July 15, is not a viable date. A discussion was held and it was decided that another date be selected. A suggestion was made to again hold the event on Veteran's Day, Saturday, November 11/11/2017. This is the same date as the 2016 Vietnam Veterans Day Event, that many of us attended last year at Ryan's lake. Right now, it looks like it will be an all-day event, same as last year, but more informtion will be forthcoming. Please mark your calendars and save the date. We would like to have a big a turn out as possible to show Mike Ryan how much we appreciate all his support for our chapter.
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Sternadel then again mentioned that the VVA National Convention was being held the 2nd week in August (in New Orleans) which sort of
conflicted with our monthly August chapter meeting. This will be the first time that our chapter will be sending two Delegates to
a VVA National Convention. Our Delegates will be Frank Kulcak and Randy Ratcliff
- see photo below.
Above photo: Left: Leonard Sternadel, Middle: Randy Ratcliff, Right: Frank Kulcak. We thought it might be better to reschedule our chapter meeting to the 3rd Wednesday in August so that Frank and Randy could present a timely report on the convention while it was fresh on their minds. After some discussion, it was decided to move our August chapter meeting to August 16, 2017 - please take note and mark your calendars! If you're interested, Click on the link below to learn more about the upcoming VVA National Convention and all the agenda topics that will be discussed at the 4-day event (Aug 8-12), being held in New Orleans, LA. Visit the 2017 VVA National Convention Webpage - Sternadel again informed the chapter that Calvin Mahlmann's grandson had been awarded a VVA scholarship in the amount of $1,000 for writing an essay on the topic "Why the US lost the Vietnam War". Sternadel then invited Calvin's grandson to come to our next August meeting and present the essay to all attending.
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Sternadel then reminded everyone that the "Everyday Heroes" (a local Veterans-Support organization) gun
raffle was held Saturday, June 17th at the "Tractor Pull" event, that was held in El Campo. Leonard stated that our chapter members
had sold over $1700 worth of tickets for the "Everyday Heroes" organization. For those that attended last month's meeting, Mike Ryan
had donated 5 very nice Case pocket knives engraved with the banner "Proud to be a Vietnam Veteran" to the top five members that sold
raffle tickets in our chapter - see photo below.
Sternadel presented the pocket knives to 5 of our chapter members. A big thanks to all those in our
chapter who helped out and sold tickets. And much thanks to Mike Ryan for donating the engraved pocket knives.
CLICK HERE for more information about Everyday Heroes,
- Sternadel then announced the possibility of a newly purchased, Everyday Heroes van becoming available for making daily runs (or as needed) for Veterans, to take them to/from the VA walk-in clinic, located in Richmond, TX. More information will be forthcoming.
- There being no further business, President Sternadel declared the meeting adjourned at 2045.