The meeting was held at Mikeska’s BBQ, (located on Hwy 59) El Campo, TX. We had a total attendance of 40 members and spouses - a really good turnout! (see photo below) We are almost back up to our pre-covid meeting attendance numbers. Much thanks to all those who attended.

• And as always, a big thanks from the chapter to Mikeska's BBQ for providing a meeting place for our monthly chapter meetings, and showing the Welcome message for our members and guests, on their new business sign (see photo below). It is much appreciated by the membership!
  
• Chapter President, Joe McCreary opened the meeting at our new start time of 6:00 PM (see photo below). 40 chapter members, spouses and guests attended the meeting. This was a really good turnout. Much thanks to all those who attended!
  
• Joe led everyone and the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was recited. A prayer was given by chapter member, Wayne Woods, and then Joe recessed the meeting for the evening BBQ meal.
• After the meal, Joe re-opened the meeting at 7:00 PM.
• Joe then recognized all those members who were having birthdays in November were recognized and Happy Birthday was sung by all. Then all the Marines in the chapter were recognized, as November 10th, 2021 was also the 246th U.S. Marine Corps Birthday! Of the current 87 members of VVA Chapter 1069, 10 members were (or still are) Marines.
• Joe then introduced a guest who was applying for new membership into the Chapter. He is a resident of El Campo, and is a Navy veteran. He should soon be an official member of our chapter. Note that our current chapter membership total is 87.
• Bob Supak then gave a short update regarding our newly elected VVA National President, Jack McManis. The week long VVA National Convention had just wrapped up in Greensboro NC and as a result of the election, long time President John Rowan is no longer President of the the organization. And since John Rowan was the only candidate listed for President before the Convention started, there is some question as to how/why Jack McManis was nominated and elected the new President of the VVA.
  Of most concern to our membership is what the new VVA President's views are regarding the recent movement within the organization to (1) change the name of the organization, and (2) change the membership criteria so as to allow all Veterans to join the organization, and not limit the membership to Vietnam-era Veterans only. It was very obvious with past President, John Rowan, that he fully supported those proposed changes to the organization.
  Use the link below to View the official VVA Press Release announcement about Jack McManis, the new President of the VVA.
  View VVA Press Release
• Chapter member, Billy Orsak, then presented and lead a short discussion proposing a new time and place for holding Veterans group sessions for our membership, lead by VA Service Officer, James Baily. See photo below.
  The proposed plan suggested (1) the virtual group sessions still be held on the same day as our monthly chapter meetings, (2) the virtual group sessions be moved from the El Campo Library, to the same Mikeska's banquet room where we hold our monthly meetings, (3) the time the virtual group sessions are held should be changed from a morning session, to an afternoon session at a time just before our chapter meeting starts, perhaps around 3:00 to 4:00 PM.
  This new schedule would make it a lot more convenient for our membership to attend both the group session and the monthly chapter meeting, as a one time-of-day event. The result could be an increase in particpation for the monthly group sessions. Billy also offered to take the lead in working with James Bailey and Mikeska's to try and get things setup for this new group session schedule, and report back to the chapter in a future chapter meeting.
  
  Above photo shows chapter member, Billy Orsak, proposing a new time and place for holding the monthly Veterans group sessions.
• Chapter Secretary/Treasurer, John Steelman, then reminded everyone that Veteran's Day is Nov 11th, and that there will be a Vietnam Veteran's Day family celebration at Ryan Lake on Sat, Nov 13, for all our chapter membership and family members. This is a great opportunity for us to get together and have some fun, and to bring out those grandkids for some fishing. All chapter members are encouraged to attend and bring the kids & grandkids. And of course fishing will be available for you, your kids and grandkids. Bring rods/reels and bait; lawn chairs, snack or dessert, and adult beverages. Evening meal, tea and water will be provided.
  Note that our VVA Chapter 1069 has participated in many Veterans Family Day celebrations for our chapter hosted by Mike Ryan of El Campo. Mike is a big supporter of all Veterans. Use the links below to view the reports of some of those past events.
  Veterans Family Day 2020
  Veterans Family Day 2019
  Veterans Family Day 2018
  Veterans Family Day 2017
  Veterans Family Day 2016
• Joe then talked a bit about our upcoming Christmas party scheduled for Wednesday, December 8. Joe passed around a sign-up sheet to get a head count of how many would be coming to the party. Final details for the party are still to be worked out, but Mikeska's will again be providing the evening meal at the party. Chapter Secretary/Treasurer, John Steelman, will be calling all those members who were not at the meeting to find out if they will be attending the party and getting their RSVP.
  Use the links below to read and view the reports for our past Chapter Christmas parties...
  2013 Christmas Party
  2014 Christmas Party
  2015 Christmas Party
  2016 Christmas Party
  2017 Christmas Party
  2018 Christmas Party
  2019 Christmas Party
  2020 Christmas Party

• Joe then mentioned that our chapter was again invited to particpate in the El Campo Christmas parade. A count was then taken to see how many were interested in participating in the parade. It was then apparent that our chapter will again be participating in the El Campo Christmas parade. Anyone wanting to volunteer the use of a large trailer should contact Joe or John. More information will be emailed out to the membership as to when and where to meet the day of the parade.
  Note that our chapter has particpated in past El Campo Christmas parades. Use the links below to read the reports and view pictures of our chapter members preparing the parade floats and chapter members riding in those parades.
  2013 El Campo Christmas Parade
  2014 El Campo Christmas Parade
  2019 El Campo Christmas Parade
• Joe also mentioned El Campo Veterans Day parade organized by the El Campo ISD and St John's Catholic church. The event will be held on Thursday, November 11th.
• Joe then mentioned a bit about the ongoing planning for the Veterans Fellowship Gathering that is scheduled for March 29th of 2022 (Vietnam War Veterans Holiday). It will include our VVA chapter and 4 other VVA chapters in the area, Halletsville, Schulenburg, Columbus and Victoria. More information regarding this event will be forthcoming in future chapter meetings.
• Photo below shows Billy and Frank using a unique visual method to compare their 50/50 participation. Looks like it's a tie to me.
  
• Again note that 40 members & spouses attended this meeting. The chapter officers and directors thank all those that attended the meeting.
• The next chapter meeting is: Wednesday, December 8, 2021, which is also our Christmas party. Stay safe until then.