Meeting Report 5-9-2018

The following Board members were present: Sternadel, Steelman, F. Kulcak, Supak, Woods, Neumann and Mahlmann.

Vice President, Frank Kulcak, re-opened the meeting open at 1945 hours and the following business was transacted.

Gary Walton was introduced as a new member. Thanks to George McKelvey for inviting Gary to join.

Sternadel introduced fellow chapter member Mike Harbaugh as the new Wharton County VSO. Congratulations to Mike - we know he will do a great job serving the veterans of the surrounding area. Harbaugh has taken the reins over from our own Dwight Winkler. We all know the hard work, dedication and extra effort that Dwight has put forth over the years for the veterans. There just aren't words to express the appreciation for all he has done. THANK YOU DWIGHT!!!!

Since Dwight Winkler was unable to attend the meeting, chapter member and new Wharton County Service Officer, Mike Harbaugh, gave Dwight's presentation (see photo below).

The presentation included the topics listed below.
- Contact information for VA claims and other needs
- Wharton County Veteran Service Officer (WCVSO)
- Free Legal Aid
- VA Compensation Payment Dates for 2018
- New Medicare Cards on the Way
- Veterans Can Help
- Notice of Appraised Property Values for 2018
- Dwight's Final Handout!
Dwight's Veterans Benefits handout for this meeting has been posted to our chapter's website. Use the link below to view or print the May Veterans Benefits handout (a PDF file):
CLICK HERE to View or Print Dwight's May Veterans Benefits Handout
Use the link below to view or print any of Dwight's past handouts:
CLICK HERE to View or Print any of Dwight's past Veterans Benefits Handouts
Use the link below to access Mike's new webpage for information regarding the Wharton County Service Officer's office hours, office locations, and other contact information.
CLICK HERE to visit Mike's WCVSO webpage
Our first order of the VVA 40th Anniversary coins were available for pickup. We had 30 coins on hand.

Note that all the coins were sold at the meeting! Dana will be ordering more for the June meeting.

Leonard thanked to those members & spouses who attended the Veteran Appreciation Day at the Wharton County Youth Fair.

The local National Guard unit has expressed interest in hosting a dinner for the chapter members.

All are invited to the Ganado American Legion Hall for a Memorial Day program hosted by the Ganado American Legion post #346.

Sternadel informed the chapter that TSC President Kerwin Stone was gathering information to aid chapters around the state regarding hosting of the TSC meetings.

New chapter member Larry Monroe, presented very informative information regarding the Honor Flight program, that basically provides veterans an opportunity to travel to Washington DC to view all the Veterans memorials and other sites of interest to veterans - in total, a 3 day visit. Thanks to Larry for sharing this information with chapter members!

Do you know what the "Honor Flights" program is? Well, on the HonorFlight website it says: Mission: To transport America’s Veterans to Washington, DC to visit those memorials dedicated to honor the service and sacrifices of themselves and their friends. Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for all their sacrifices. We transport our heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior veterans – World War II survivors, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill.
Use the link below to visit the HonorFlight website for all details about the program: CLICK HERE to visit the Honor Flight website
Use the link below to visit the "Houston" HonorFlight website (flights out of Houston): CLICK HERE to visit the Houston Honor Flight website

Much Thanks goes out to Chapter Secretary, John Steelman, for providing these meeting minutes.

VVA Chapter 1069 Meeting Report for: May 5-9-2018 [posted on: 6-19-2018]