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VVA Chapter 1069 Wins Spot in VVA 2022 Calendar for the month of September
[posted on: 12-12-2021]
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VVA Chapter 1069 wins spot in VVA 2022 Calendar Contest for the month of September!
After years of entering photos in the VVA National's yearly Calendar Photo Contest, Texas VVA
Chapter 1069 finally wins a photo spot in VVA National's 2021 Calendar Contest for the VVA 2022
Calendar, for the month of September! (see 2022 calendar's month of September at left). The photos we
sent in year after year were taken from our chapter's participation in the Vietnam Memorial Traveling
Wall when it came to El Campo, Texas, back in 2015. This was our chapter's finest hour of participating
in a very special event and "Rose" ceremony.
CLICK HERE for a Full Report
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VVA Chapter 1069 Members Attend WW2 Veteran's 95th Birthday Party!
[posted on: 3-8-2021]
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On Satureday, February 27, 2021, several of our chapter members attended the 95th birthday celebration
for WW-2 Veteran, Howard Rodman, a local resident of El Campo, Texas. See picture below - Howard is the
spry looking fellow in the lower right corner of the picture.
CLICK HERE for a Full Report
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Year In Review 2019
[posted on: 1-10-2020]
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A "Year in Review" webpage has been created for VVA Chapter 1069. All the various
events and projects that the chapter membership has participated in the past year are listed on the webpage,
along with links to the corresponding reports, posted on this website. Use the link below to visit the Year
in Review webpage.
CLICK HERE for VVA Chapter 1069 - Year in Review 2019
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Leonard Sternadel Receives National VVA Achievement Award - Oct 2019
[posted on: 11-21-2019]
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Chapter Vice-President (and previous President), Leonard Sternadel, received VVA's 2nd highest award in
October of 2019, titled the "National VVA Achievement Award", VVA's 2nd highest award.
The award includes a certificate signed by the VVA National's President, John Rowan, along with the
Achievement Medal itself. The award was announced at the October 2019 Texas State Council meeting by
TSC President, Kerwin Stone. Nominations for this award can only be done by either a chapter president
or a state council president, with review and approval by VVA National's Awards Committee, and signed
off by the VVA National's President, John Rowan.
CLICK HERE to Read the Full Report on this Award
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Chapter Holds 2019 Fundraiser Raffle Drawing
[posted on: 8-16-2019]
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VVA Chapter 1069 is held its 2019 fundraiser raffle drawing during the August 14, 2019 monthly chapter meeting.
Photo at left shows chapter members loading up the drum with raffle tickets. Thirteen items were included in the
raffle. All ticket sales proceeds go for general yearly chapter expenses and various Veteran related projects in
the Wharton and surrounding county areas. The raffle was a huge success! Click on link below for a full report
on the raffle drawing, including photos.
Raffle Drawing Report
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VVA Chapter 1069 Wins TSC 2019 "Chapter Website of the Year" Award
[posted on: 7-1-2019]
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Every year, the
VVA Texas State Council (TSC)
, opens up nominations for their annual Awards ceremony. For the
2019 Awards year, a new "Chapter Website of the Year" award was added to the various
awards categories. In February of 2019, VVA Chapter 1069 submitted their website nomination to the TSC nominations
committee (this website that you're viewing). At the April 2019 TSC meeting that was held in Texarkana, Texas, it
was announced that VVA Chapter 1069 had won the Chapter Website of the Year award! The award was presented to Leonard
Sternadel, President of VVA Chapter 1069. Chapter member and BOD officer, Bob Supak, is the website administrator.
The award was then presented to Bob at the
June 2019 monthly chapter meeting
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VVA Chapter 1069 Officers and BOD members would like to thank the TSC and the TSC Awards Nominations Committee for
selecting VVA chapter 1069's website as Chapter Website of the Year. And to also thank them for the outstanding job
they do every year with their
Annual TSC Awards Project
.
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VVA Chapter 1069 Holds Fundraiser Raffle in 2019
[posted on: 5-11-2019]
VVA Chapter 1069 is holding a 2019 fundraiser raffle. Thirteen items are included in the raffle - see
list below. The drawing will be held at the regular monthly chapter meeting, held on August 14, 2019.
Ticket prices are $10 each. Tickets are available through any VVA Chapter 1069 member. Tickets are also
available at some local business locations. Note that only 2000 tickets have been printed. All ticket
sales proceeds go for general yearly chapter expenses and various Veteran related projects in the Wharton
and surrounding county areas. Click on link below for more details regarding ticket purchase locations,
raffle item details, and other contact information.
CLICK HERE for complete details on the raffle and the items in the raffle
VVA Chapter 1069 Awarded $500 Grant from VVAFT, in April, 2017!
[posted on: 7-26-2017]
In early January of 2017, VVA Chapter 1069, entered the 10th Annual Operation ED-U-CATE contest,
sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans Assistance Foundation of Texas, Inc. (VVAFT).
The Vietnam Veterans Assistance Foundation of Texas, Inc. (VVAFT) primarily serves as a non-profit-non-membership
veterans service organization designed to help all veterans in need, and to support the service programs of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA),
the Texas State Council (TSC), as well as helping to improve our communities.
All of the members of the VVAFT are also members of the
VVA Texas State Council (TSC).
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"Operation ED-U-CATE" is an annual contest between all Texas VVA Chapters who have achieved excellance in
their overall general operation for some particular veteran related program/project. Each chapter applicant must have followed and accomplished
A SET OF SPECIFIC CRITERON/RULES
to be eligible for the final grant awards, which must also include a 500 word essay.
The photo at left shows VVA chapter 1069 member, Stephen Brady (left), accepting a $500 grant
award check, on behalf of the chapter, at the April, 2017
VVA Texas State Council (TSC)
meeting, that was held in Irving, Texas. Presenting the award is Bill Meeks (right), Special Advisor to the VVAFT Board of Directors
and current VVA National Secretary.
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For our chapter's entry into the contest, we submitted our “Bio & Photo Album/Booklet/CD” project
(see photo of Bio/Photo Album and Individual Booklets, w/ CD, at left), specifically created for our membership. The idea for this
project was put forth and is currently administered by chapter member, Bob Supak. The idea was to collect (on a voluntary basis)
from our membership, an abbreviated military & Vietnam War tour biography of each member, along with several Military/Vietnam tour
photos. Each Bio would consist of two or more pages, the first page containing the member's basic military/Vietnam information along
with a current photo.
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In addition, the veteran may provide a story describing their military/Vietnam experience. Finally, one or more pages containing
their favorite military/Vietnam photos along with a brief caption for each photo. For more details regarding the project, use the
link below to read the 500 word Essay that was submitted to the VVAFT Board of Directors as part of the contest submission packet.
Photo at left shows the Bio & Photo Album project's promotional poster that is displayed at every monthly chapter meeting.
A big thanks to all our chapter members who thus far have participated in the project!
CLICK HERE to Read the Essay that was submitted by our chapter
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TO THE TEXAS VVAFT BOD MEMBERS:
The Officers and BOD members of VVA Chapter 1069 would like to Thank the VVAFT Board of Directors
for selecting our chapter's "Bio & Photo Album/Booklet/CD" project as a recipient of the 2017
10th Annual Operation ED-U-CATE contest.
Please be assured that the $500 grant awarded to our chapter will be spent in a responsible manner for our chapter Vietnam Veteran
membership and to help other veterans in our local community. Keep up the good work!
VVA Chapter 1069 Members Visit TCVVM in Austin for 2nd Time:
[posted on: 2-27-2016]
Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall visit to El Campo in 2015:
VVA Chapter 1069 Participates in Memorial Crosses Service/Ceremony:
[posted on: 8-19-2015]
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The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall visited El Campo Texas, July 16-20, 2015. VVA
Chapter #1069 and its membership participated in the 5-day long event. A special Memorial Service was presented
by the Chapter on Saturday morning, July 18, which had also been designated by event planners as "Vietnam Veterans Day".
CLICK HERE to read the full Chapter report
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VVA Chapter 1069 Participates In 2014 WCVBS Fair:
[posted on: 8-30-2014]
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VVA Chapter 1069 of El Campo, Texas, participated in the Wharton County Veterans Benefits & Services (WCVBS) Fair,
that was held on Saturday, August 23, 2014, at the El Campo Civic Center. The chapter set up a covered display
booth area and provided Veteran related materials and information to the Veterans attending the event. Many
chapter members and their spouses attended the event to help run the display booth and to also help with various
event tasks.
CLICK HERE to read the full Chapter report
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New Vests Now Available for VVA Chapter 1069 Members:
[posted on: 7-24-2014]
At our July 2014 meeting, president Sternadel reminded the chapter members to see James Kulcak if anyone would
like to order one of our new VVA Chapter 1069 member vests. The total cost to a chapter member is only $20.00. The
chapter picks up the rest of the cost - A really great deal! The photos below were taken at the meeting and show
Sternadel's vest with his military decorations attached. Note the additional space on the front of the vest for
any addtional military decorations (i.e. pins or patches) that a member may want to add to his/her vest. Also take
note of our new custom 10" VVA Chapter 1069 patch on the back! To order one of these vests, please see Leonard
Sternadel or James Kulcak when you come to the next meeting.
Everyday Heroes Fundraiser 4-26-2014 - Surfside Trip Report:
[posted on: 4-28-2014]
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The Everyday Heroes annual fundraiser and Veteran's Appreciation Day event was held at Surfside Marina
(Surfside Texas) on Saturday, April 26th. Everyday Heroes provided a 56 passenger Coachways Charter bus
to transport the Veterans to/from Surfside Marina, located in Surfside Texas. The photo at left shows
the arrival of the Veterans to the event.
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Many Veterans from the El Campo, Wharton and surrounding towns attended the event. They included members from
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 1069, American Legion Post 251 and the VFW. Many rode the bus to attend
the fundraising event. Bus riders also included Veteran's spouses and guests. Other Veterans drove their personal
vehicles to the event. In total, approximately 50 Veterans, spouses & guests attended the event. Click on the link
below for a complete report on the Chapter members bus trip to Surfside.
CLICK HERE for full Surfside trip report
CLICK HERE for more information regarding Everyday Heroes, Inc.
TCVVM Dedication Ceremony 3-29-2014 - Austin Trip Report:
[posted on: 4-3-2014]
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The Texas Capitol Vietnam Veteran Monument dedication ceremony was held in Austin on Saturday, March 29th.
VVA Chapter 1069 provided a 56 passenger Coachways bus for the trip to Austin.
Approximately 54 Chapter members, spouses and supporters rode the bus to attend the dedication ceremony.
Click on the link below to read the full report.
CLICK HERE for full Austin trip report
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Windbreaker Jackets for VVA Chapter 1069 Members:
[posted on: 1-29-2014]
[updated on: 12-19-2014]
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Custom green color windbreaker jackets are now available for order for VVA Chapter #1069 members. Much thanks
and appreciation goes out to chapter member, Ed Kulcak, for his idea and design of these custom windbreaker
jackets for Chapter 1069 members - Thanks Ed!
Please note that the purchase of these windbreaker jackets is not mandatory for our members. Also at this time,
the Chapter will NOT be paying for any of the cost of these jackets. The exact cost for
one of these jackets is dependant on size of jacket you order and amount of embroidered wording you request, but
nominal cost is approximately $100.
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Jackets will be available in the following sizes; Small, Medium, Large, 2X & 3X. The jacket shown in the example
photos below is a 3X jacket. These are high quality windbreaker jackets and are made in the U.S. Jackets have a soft
white inner liner. All jackets will be of the same green color as shown in the photos below. You will have the option
to customize the embroidery on the front and back of the jacket. Although most of the writing on the back of the jacket
will be standard and the same for all, you will be able to specify (1) your service dates in Vietnam and (2) your
military branch, i.e. Air Force, Army, etc.. However, on the front of the jacket, left side, you will of course, be
able to specify your name, along with the details of the outfit (Division, Squadron, Battalion, Company, etc.) you
served with while in Nam. See the example stitching in the photos below.
To order one of these vests, you will need to fill out an order form, specifying the wording you want on your jacket
and to also specify the size. Order forms will be avilable at all chapter meetings for you to fill out. An order form
is also available on this website for viewing, download or printing. So, you can print the order form on your local printer,
fill it out and then bring it to the next chapter meeting. Use the links below to View, Copy or Print the 2-part order forms.
Click here to view & print order Form 1 (PDF file)
Click here to view & print order Form 2 (PDF file)
Example photos below showing the green windbreaker jacket...
Above photo shows front of jacket
Above photo shows back of jacket
Chapter plans trip to Austin, March 29, 2014 for TCVVM Dedication:
[posted on: 1-29-2014]
VVA Chapter 1069 has scheduled a group day trip to Austin Texas on March 29, 2014 for its Chapter members. The group
will be traveling to the Austin State Capitol to attend the dedication ceremony for the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans
Monument (TCVVM). The Chapter has chartered a 56 passenger bus for the trip which is intended for Chapter members only.
The photos above were taken by several Chapter members on the day the bus was inspected and approved for the trip. For
more information regarding the TCVVM dedication ceremony and the TCVVM itself, see links below.
Click here - Your invitation to the upcoming TCVVM Dedication Ceremony!
Click here - Read more about the upcoming TCVVM Dedication Ceremony
State Rep, Phil Stephenson is guest speaker at Dec 8, 2013 meeting:
[posted on: 1-13-2014]
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The photo at the left shows Phil Stephenson, our State Representative from Austin Texas. He was one of
our guests speakers at the Dec 2013 Christmas party. The Representative spoke of various projects that
he is working on in Austin. Representative Stephenson has attended our Chapter meetings before and he
is definately a friend of Texas Vietnam Veterans.
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One of his primary projects deals with the strained water situation in Texas and he is trying to pass
legislation that will ensure Texas communities and their residents will have a plentiful supply of
water in the future. During his presentation, the Representative also mentioned the following two important
items. (1) Representative Stephenson presented our Chapter with a Texas flag that has flown over the State Capitol
in Austin. (2) Representative Stephenson promised that he would write letters to each of his fellow Texas State
Representatives in Austin, asking/challenging each of them for a $1000 donation, to go towards the final funding
for the construction of the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument (TCVVM). The monument will be dedicated in
March of 2014 on the grounds of the State Capitol in Austin. At this point in time, the project still needs $200,000 worth
of funding.
Chapter Participates in "Wreaths Across America" - Dec 14, 2013:
[posted on: 12-27-2013]
The Veterans Memorial
In Wharton Texas
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VVA Chapter 1069 participated in the national "Wreaths Across America" program
on December 14, 2013. The main function of the organization is the laying of Wreaths (Green pine boughs shaped
into wreaths and affixed with bright red ribbons) on the graves of those veterans who gave their lives in the
service of our country. The Chapter worked with Sarah Hudgins, who is the local Wharton county leader/coordinator
for the Wreaths Across America organization. This year our Chapter purchased 25 Wreaths from Sarah (and the WAA)
for distribution by our Chapter members on December 14, which is designated as National Wreaths Across America Day.
Many thanks to Sarah for her ongoing dedication to this project and her helping our Chapter coordinate the event.
Read online news article about Sarah and the WAA
This year, 13 of the Wreaths were placed on the Veterans Memorial, which is located on the town square in Wharton Texas
(see photos to the left). The other 12 Wreaths were placed on the graves of Veterans in Wharton & Jackson counties.
Several Chapter members volunteered their time to perform the Wreath laying ceremony on December 14th.
The Chapter wants to thank those members who volunteered to help with this project.
View the Wreaths Across America national website
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Chapter Members Visit Texas Vietnam Heroes Exhibit in Houston:
[posted on: 12-17-2013]
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On Saturday, December 7, 2013, several Chapter members and their spouses visited the local "Texas Vietnam
Heroes" exhibit. The exhibit is currently setup in "The Health" museum located in Houston's Museum
district. The address is: 1515 Herman Drive. The Heroes exhibit honors the 3,714 Texas Veterans that lost
their lives in the Vietnam War. Click on the link below to view pictures taken at the exhibit and to read
more about the visit.
Click here to see pictures of Texas Vietnam Heroes Exhibit in Houston
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Chapter President Receives "Point Man" Certificate of Appreciation:
[posted on: 6-13-2013]
At our June 2013 monthly meeting, chapter president Leonard Sternadel received a well deserved "Point Man" Certificate
of Appreciation award from chapter Sec/Treasurer, John Steelman. Click on the link below for more details and a photo
of Leonard with the award.
View photo of Leonard receiving certificate
Chapter receives Thank-You letter from TCVVM Chairman:
[posted on: 7-3-2013]
In June our Chapter received a generous Thank-You letter from Robert Floyd, Chairman of the TCVVM (Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument).
Several Chapter officers traveled to Austin in May of this year to give a cash donation ($1000) to the TCVVM on behalf of
Chapter 1069. Click on the link below to view the contents of the letter and to also read more about the trip to Austin and what the
TCVVM is all about.
Read the Thank-You letter from Robert Floyd
Chapter 1069 Officers present cash donation to TCVVM in Austin:
[posted on: 6-12-2013]
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Chapter 1069 Officers and Board of Directors traveled to the Capital in Austin Texas on May 23rd to present a
cash donation of $1000 (on behalf of VVA Chapter 1069) in support of the
"Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument" (TCVVM). The monument will be located on the Capital grounds in Austin
Texas. The donation amount ($1000) was voted on and approved by the chapter members who attended the May monthly
Chapter meeting. Photos of the donation ceremony can be seen at the link below.
View larger photo and participant names
More information about the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument (located on the Capital grounds in Austin Texas) can be found
at the TCVVM website link below.
Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument
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Installation of Chapter 1069 Officers:
[posted on: 5-16-2013]
At the May 8th meeting, the newly elected officers and board of directors were officially installed. The ceremony
was conducted by two officers from the Hallettsville VVA chapter #854. The officers
and board of directors will hold office for two years.
The names or our newly installed Officers and Board of Directors can be seen here
Election of Chapter 1069 Officers:
[posted on: 4-16-2013]
At the April 10th meeting, the chapter members voted and elected new officers and a board of directors.
Creating new By-Laws for Chapter 1069:
[posted on: 4-16-2013]
The chapter officers are in the process of creating a new by-laws charter for the chapter.
When it has reached final approval and acceptance, it will be available for viewing on this website.
Chapter 1069 Officers travel to Texas State Council Meeting:
[posted on: 4-16-2013]
The VVA Texas State Council (TSC) meeting was held on April 5-7 in Kerrville Texas.
President Leonard Sternadel and Secretary John Steelman attended the Council meeting and reported that our Chapter received
a donation of $300 from the president of the Texas State Council, Luther 'Buster' Newberry. A photo of the donation ceremony
can be seen at the link below.
View photo of TSC president handing check to our chapter reps
Chapter 1069 Receives Official Charter:
[posted on: 7-31-2013]
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During the Chapter meeting in December of 2012, two VVA regional
officers from the Hallettsville VVA Chapter #854 attended the meeting
and presented the official VVA Chapter Charter to the Chapter 1069
president, Leonard Sternadel. A local newspaper article describes the June 2012 official chapter
formation as follows:
A new local chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) was officially formed Thursday, June 28 at Mikeska’s Barbecue on
Hwy. 59. The 30 charter members come from Wharton, Jackson and Brazoria counties, and those members elected officers, including
Leonard Sternadel of El Campo as president; Richard Lindley of Louise, vice president; John Steelman of El Campo, secretary and
Frank Laitkep of Wharton, treasurer. Sternadel also appointed a three-member board of directors: Frank Kulcak, Park Christenberry
and David Juranek, all of El Campo.
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VA Counselor Presentation:
[posted on: 5-12-2013]
During the Chapter meeting in August of 2012, a VA counselor attended the meeting and gave a presentation of Veterans Benefits and Resources.
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