Meeting Report 3-13-2019

The meeting was held at Mikeska’s BBQ, El Campo, TX.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM, by chapter President, Leonard Sternadel.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was recited and a prayer was said.

Leonard then recognized all those who were having birthdays in March.

Leonard than introduced guests and potential new members.

The meeting was then recessed for the meal.

President, Leonard Sternadel, re-opened the meeting open at 8:00 PM, and the following business was transacted.

Mike Harbaugh, Chapter member and Wharton County Veteran Service Officer, gave his Veterans Benefits presenation. Use the link below to visit Mike's webpage to view or print other meeting handouts, or to view other Veterans Benefits Information.
CLICK HERE to Visit Mike's VSO Webpage

New chapter officers and BOD members will be elected in April. Michael Harbaugh, chairman of the Nomination Committee gave a progress report.

Leonard then mentioned that the chapter will go ahead with the Fundraiser Raffle project in 2019. If anyone would like to volunteer to help with this fundraiser, please contact Leonard. We for sure will need members to go into their communities and find businesses that will contribute worthwhile prizes for the Raffle.

A Travelling Vietnam Wall will be coming to the Schulenburg Sports Complex, April 4-7, 2019. Mark Meysembourg (979-561-6986) from the Schulenburg American Legion Post 143, will be leading a motorcycle escort from San Antonio to Schulenburg.

Note that we have converted and posted several documents to our website that contain various information about this event. They are in PDF format for easy viewing. Links to those documents are listed below. Probable a good day to attend the event would be on Saturday, April 6th, when the annual sausage fest will be held in downtown Schulenburg. Bob.

Schulenburg VVA Chapter #870 brings the "American Veterans Traveling Tribute" (AVTT) to Schulenburg! Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #870, will be hosting an 80% replica of the Vietnam Wall which is in Washington, D.C. It contains the over 58,000 names of the brothers and sisters who lost their lives during the Vietnam War. The American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) is 360 feet long and will be displayed at the Schulenburg Sports Complex on Schultz St. in Schulenburg.

Construction of the wall will begin on Thursday morning April 4th at 7:30 am with help from Blinn College students in Schulenburg, along with members of VVA Chapter #870 & city of Schulenburg. Local residents that want to participate in the construction of the wall (must be 18) are welcome to come to the Sports Complex on Thursday at 7:30 am and also Sunday at 3 PM when the wall is taken down. The wall will be open 24 hours a day - there is no charge.

Also note, Mark Meysembourg (979-561-6986) from the Schulenburg American Legion Post 143, will be leading a motorcycle escort from San Antonio to Schulenburg. If you are a motorcycle rider and would be interested in riding in the escort, please call Mark.

If you need more information, please contact: Robert O. Baker, Chapel of Four Chaplains Trustee & Veterans Advocate at 979-562-2432.

Use the link below to view the complete agenda for the event (a PDF doc):
CLICK HERE to View Agenda

Use the link below to view the official flyer for the event (a PDF doc): You may print and post this flyer in your town's businesses.
CLICK HERE to View or Print Flyer

Use the link below to view additional detailed information for the event (a PDF doc):
CLICK HERE for more details

The American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) is a multi-division Nationally recognized Veteran owned and operated small business. We got our start through the improved construction of our 80% Traveling Vietnam Wall, while being a part of more than 300 events across America over the last 8 years. Use the link below to visit the AVTT website and learn more about the traveling wall that is coming to Schulenburg. Note that this wall is larger than the one that came to El Campo.
CLICK HERE to Visit the AVTT Website

And for our new members, use the link below to read the full report on our chapter's participation with the Vietnam Traveling Wall that came to El Campo in 2015.
CLICK HERE to Read our Report

Kerwin Stone, our TSC President, has just forwarded to us, an important email and attachment, from Bob Seal, Chairman for VVA National, Working Group I. Remember, this is the VVA National group/committee that is trying to figure out what all needs to be done when the time comes to shut down the VVA organization - i.e. who will shut off the lights and close the door!
From: Bob
To: OBCP
Sent: Fri, Mar 8, 2019 8:59 am
Subject: Working Group I Article for The VVA Veteran March/April 2019 Issue
VVA Officers, Directors, Committee Chairs, and State Council Presidents,
Greetings, members of Working Group I are frequently asked to provide an update on Working Group I activities at Chapter and State Council meetings. Although Working Group I has provided articles for The VVA Veteran in the past, and those articles have been very well presented by The VVA Veteran staff, some members have stated that they have never received any information.
The attached document is a copy of the article that Working Group I submitted for publication in the March/April 2019 issue of The VVA Veteran that should be delivered to members between March 26th -30th. We encourage you to share this information with your State Councils, Chapters, and Members-at-Large to help keep them informed.
Thank you,
Bob Seal
Chair, Working Group I
CLICK HERE to view or print the PDF document that Bob Seal has sent us. Again note, this is the same article that you will see in your upcoming "VVA Veteran" publication.

The next TSC meeting will be held in Texarkana, Apr 26-28. Special elections will be held because of the recent resignations of the Vice-President (Steven Brady) and Secretary (Cheryl Van Syckle) positions.

The dedication of a portion of Hwy 71, in El Campo, for local Medal of Honor recipient, Roy Benavidez, is being held on Saturday, March 23, starting at 10:00 AM at the El Campo Civic Center, lasting till 2:00 PM. Also, two representatives from 5th Group will be attending the dedication ceremony. We also just received word that Roy's wife passed away and will be buried Thursday, at Ft. Sam Houston, in San Antonio. Thanks to Paul & Leonard for providing additional information regarding this ceremony.
CLICK HERE for more information about Roy Benavidez

More information was given out about those who may want to order our official VVA green embroidered windbreaker.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

VVA Chapter 1069 Meeting Report for: March 3-13-2019 [posted on: 3-18-2019]

VVA Chapter 1069 Meeting Report for: March 3-13-2019
[posted on: 3-18-2019]