- The meeting was held at Mikeska’s BBQ, El Campo, TX. The main agenda for the night's meeting was chapter officer elections!
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For the last time, the meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM, by long time chapter President
and chapter co-founder, Leonard Sternadel. See photo below. He would, before the meeting is
adjourned, turn over the President's gavel to a newly elected chapter President.
Leonard enjoyed the position, but said, "It was just time to take a break". However, as it
turned out, Leonard was elected to the position of Vice President.
- The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was recited and a prayer was said.
- Leonard then recognized all those who were having birthdays in April.
- 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.
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President, Leonard Sternadel, then called for the elections committee members (Mike Harbaugh,
Paul Francoeur & Frankie Laitkep) to come forward and proceed with the chapter officer
and BOD elections.
Above photo, left to right, Mike Harbaugh, Paul Francoeur, Frankie Laitkep.
The following chapter members were voted into office (for 2 years). Note that there were no
other members listed as candidates on the ballot.
- President: Frank Laitkep
- Vice President: Leonard Sternadel
- Secretary/Treasurer: John Steelman
- BOD Members: Wayne Woods, Billy Orsak, Ronnie Miller, Bob Supak
We'd like to wish a big congratulations to the newly elected chapter officers and BOD members! We especially want to congratulate Frank Laitkep as the new President of VVA Chapter 1069. Frankie has been a member of the VVA organization since June of 2001. See photo below.
The chapter wants to also thank Leonard Sternadel for serving as our President and Frank Kulcak for serving as our Vice President since the chapter's inception way back in 2012. They've done a great job in making this chapter into a really successfull organization!
Also a big thanks to John Steelman (chapter co-founder) for continuing to serve the chapter as Secretary/Treasurer. This is a position with lot's of responsibility and various tasks to keep track of, especially in dealing with VVA National, and John has done a hell of a job for us! Thank you John!
Also a big thanks to Jimmy Neumann and Calvin Mahlmann for serving as BOD members the past few years - we appreciate your service to the chapter - Thank you!
The chapter would also like to thank the elections committee members, Mike Harbaugh, Paul Francoeur and Frankie Laitkep, for doing a great job in handling our chapter elections for 2019. We appreciate your service guys!
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Vice President, Leonard Sternadel, then presented an update for the 2019 chapter fundraiser
raffle. The chapter thanks Leonard for having volunteered to manage the 2019 chapter fundraiser
raffle. Thanks Leonard!
Our 2019 chapter fundraiser raffle project is off and running. Leonard Sternadel is coordinating the project and gave a progress report at the meeting. He had quite a list of donations that he had collected from various local businesses.
For this raffle, we will be selling $10 tickets. Note that during his fundraiser update, Leonard passed around a bucket for cash donations so that he could purchase another gun for the raffle. He collected a total of $351! He thanked the attending members for being so generous with the cash contribution.
The raffle tickets will be handed out at the May chapter meeting to all attendingg members. Please plan on attending the April meeting so you can pick up your packet of raffle tickets. We will also be mailing out raffle tickets to those who do not attend the meeting. We hope to raise at least $10,000 from this fundraiser, and with everyone helping to sell tickets, we should be able to raise this amount, if not more.
If you have any questions regarding the fundraiser, please contact Leonard - see his contact information below.
Leonard Sternadel
Phone: (979) 543-1122
Email: lasternadel@yahoo.com
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Mike Harbaugh, Chapter member and Wharton County Veteran Service Officer,
gave his Veterans Benefits presenation. He presented information regardingg the following three topics.
- Proposed Debt collection (Payday Loans & Auto Title Loans) reforms for Veterans.
- VA will NOT appeal court’s decision to provide health care for “Blue Water Navy” Vietnam Veterans.
- Adding four new conditions to the list of qualifying diseases tied to Agent Orange exposure; Bladder Cancer, Hypothyroidism, Hypertension and Parkinson's-like symptoms.
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Leonard then thanked all members and spouses that visited the Vietnam Traveling Wall that was on display in Schulenburg over the previous weekend. We still have some promotional webpages on our chapter website, so you may still view those if you wish - use the available links below.
Use the link below to view the complete agenda for the event (a PDF doc):
CLICK HERE to View AgendaUse the link below to view the official flyer for the event (a PDF doc).
CLICK HERE to View or Print FlyerUse the link below to view additional detailed information for the event (a PDF doc):
CLICK HERE for more detailsThe American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) is a multi-division Nationally recognized Veteran owned and operated small business. The got their 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 was on display in Schulenburg. Note that this wall is larger than the Wall that came to El Campo, and our members that saw it, said it was a really nice Vietnam Wall.
CLICK HERE to Visit the AVTT WebsiteAnd 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 - The next TSC meeting will be held in Texarkana, Apr 26-28. Special elections will be held because of the two recent resignations of the Vice-President (Steven Brady) and Secretary (Cheryl Van Syckle) positions.
- Leonard then thanked all members & spouses that attended the Highway dedication for Medal of Honor recipient, Roy Benavidez, Saturday, March 23, held at the El Campo Civic Center. Use the link below to read a report about the dedication ceremony. A big thanks to chapter member, Paul Francoeur, for providing details and photos from the ceremony. CLICK HERE to view the report CLICK HERE for more information about Roy Benavidez
- Leonard then brought up a discussion regarding "NATIONAL VIETNAM WAR VETERANS DAY", March 29, for next year. As you know, it was established in 2017 by President Trump, as a Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War. Leonard feels that we should be doing something special, as a whole chapter, on this date. One suggestion is that we should have some sort of celebration/party for our chapter members & family at some local Hall, such as the one in Hungerford, which is a good central location for all our membership. Everyone thought this was a great idea.
- More information was given out about those who may want to order our official VVA green embroidered windbreaker.
- In closing, Leonard threw out a trivia question to the membership. "Why are there 17 Stars on the VVA Flag?". If you know the answer, good for you! If not, use the link below to find out the answer on our chapter website's Homepage. CLICK HERE for the Answer
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And finally, Leonard told a story of a bridge built in Vietnam - "A Bridge to Nowhere". See photo below.
If interested, you will have to ask Leonard about it at the next chapter meeting.
- There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.