Meeting Report 7-9-2014

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President Leonard Sternadel declared the meeting open at 1900 hours and the following business was transacted.

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James Kulcak requested that the "Mansions Of The Lord" hymn video be played on our projector. There is discussion that we play this hymn/prayer video at every meeting - I'd vote for that! If you have not yet seen this video, please take a minute to watch it. Click on the image below to view the video (on YouTube).

A short video from the Texas Country Reporter was shown while everyone was eating BBQ. The video describes Robert Floyd's efforts to build the Texas Vietnam Veterans Monument. It is a very well produced video - it is not long, but to the point. It shows all the various stages of the monument from conception to the final dedication ceremony that many of us attended in Austin. Well worth a watch. Use the link below to view the video.

Sternadel presented First Sergeant Medrano with a side bar from his catfish that he caught at Sternadel's pond. The long sharp bone punctured Sternadel's big tractor tire necessitating a tire repair - See image below. We are all sure this puncture was in retaliation from the fish.

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He then asked Dwight Winkler to update the members on the upcoming Veteran's Benefits Seminar. Winkler reviewed a summary of the events that were going to take place at the El Campo Civic Center on the 23rd of August. He also informed the members that monetary donations were needed to help defray the expenses.

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Sternadel informed the members that the Travelling Wall will be back in El Campo July 16-20, 2015.

Sternadel reminded the chapter members to see James Kulcak if anyone would like the new style VVA Chapter 1069 member vest. The member cost is only $20.00 - the chapter picks up the rest of the tab - A really great deal! The images below were taken at the meeting and show Leonard'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 add to his/her vest. Also take note of the custom 10" VVA Chapter 1069 patch on the back!

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He also asked the members if there was interest in taking a bus trip to Austin in October to see the Monument. More information will be forthcoming.

An online video from CBS was shown on our projector - it showed the "Welcome Home" activities (at the airports) for the Iraqi veterans in Dallas, by VVA Chapter members in the Dallas area. Sternadel added that he and others have been visiting with local veterans from the mid-east wars and would like to implement a new chapter project for the this group of Iraq/Afghanistan veterans, similar to the what other VVA chapters are doing - a sort of "Out Reach" program. There will be more information regarding this possible new project in the near future. Use the link below to view the video.

Sternadel asked the members if they would be interested in a "Great Kayak Race" at their pond. Maybe similar to a family outing with a meal "hotdogs??????" in September. More information will be presented later.

Also the possibility of a deep sea fishing trip was discussed. More information will be forthcoming.

A Stand-Down at FB Helen was also discussed. More information will be forthcoming.

WCSO Winkler reported that J&M Printing in Wharton donated the printing and folding of the invitations for the Benefits Seminar. These are going to be emailed and mailed out to members.

Sternadel informed the members that Everyday Heroes had purchased another van (the 2nd van) that would be going to the Richmond VA clinic while the other would still go to the DeBakey VA hospital in the medical center.

There being no further business, President Sternadel declared the meeting adjourned.

And finally - much thanks to John Steelman, our Chapter Secretary/Treasurer for providing us with the meeting minutes!

VVA Chapter 1069 Meeting Report for: July, 7-9-2014 [posted on: 7-21-2014]