- The meeting was held at Mikeska's BBQ, El Campo, TX.
- There were 37 members and guests present, along with 8 spouses in attendance. What an awesome turnout! Thanks to all of you for attending our monthly meetings - what a great membership we have!
- President Leonard Sternadel declared the meeting open at 1900 hours.
- The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was recited and a prayer was said.
- Sternadel welcomed Blas Ochoa and Damasio Sanchez as new members to Chapter 1069.
- Sternadel then asked chapter member, Joe Krasucky, to come forward. Sternadel stated the chapter was in need of a storage cabinet to store the supplies for the meetings. The storage cabinet will be kept at Mikeska's (and by the way, much thanks goes out to the Mikeska brothers for allowing us to keep our new chapter storage cabinet at their facility). Krasucky had volunteered to donate the materials and labor for the cabinet. Sternadel presented Joe a plaque in appreciation for his time and donation to the chapter. See photo below.
- Sternadel then announced that our local Wharton County Veterans Service Officer (VSO), Dwight Winkler, had resigned from the VSO position, effective October 31st. He thanked Winkler for his many tireless hours and dedication to providing veterans with the assistance they needed.
- The minutes of the last meeting were approved as presented.
- Dwight Winkler then presented a brief overview of benefits available to surviving spouses of a veteran. The discussion included Accrued Benefits, important Death Pensions, Dependency Indemnity Compensation and other related topics. A handout was provided to all.
- On behalf of the entire chapter, President Sternadel then presented Dwight Winkler with an appreciation cake, for
"Being the best VSO ever" and “Being a great guy”. Dwight has definitely set the bar "in the clouds" for those
future Wharton County VSOs that will follow! ALL Veterans want to thank you very much Dwight, for your VSO service! And of
course, the cake was enjoyed by all.
- Sternadel and Winkler thanked all of those that helped with the recent Wharton County Veterans Benefits & Services Fair, held a few weeks ago at the El Campo Civic Center. Winkler especially thanked Leonard and Dana Sternadel who basically "carried the ball" at the event.
- The Travelling Wall will be back in El Campo July 16-20, 2015.
- The great Kayak Races will be held on Saturday, September 13th, at "The Pond". A Hot dog supper will be provided. CLICK HERE for a Report on the Great Kayak Races held this past Saturday
- Due to other end of year activities, the proposed bus trip to Austin, to again visit the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument (TCVVM),
that had been set for October 11th, has been postponed until next year. The chapter's first trip to Austin Texas, was to attend the Texas Capitol
Vietnam Veteran Monument (TCVVM) dedication ceremony, that was held on Saturday, March 29, 2014, on the State Capitol grounds. 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 trip report.
CLICK HERE for a full report regarding our chapter's trip to the TCVVM dedication ceremony
- Chapter member, Rusty Butts was assigned to investigate a group fishing trip in the Gulf. More information will be forthcoming.
- Efforts are being made to assist Iraq/Afghan veterans in organizing a support group. More information will be forthcoming.
- The date for a future Chapter Stand-Down was also discussed. More information will be forthcoming.
- The VVA Texas State Council (TSC) Fall Council meeting will be held October 3-4, 2014, in Arlington, TX. The TSC meeting is being hosted by Texas VVA Chapter 1013, located in Grand Prairie, TX. Two chapter members have volunteered to attend the meeting as the official delegates from our Chapter, VVA 1069.
- Sternadel announced that more of the new tan chapter vests were on order and were available for chapter members. See example photos below of Leonard's vest. Please contact chapter member, James Kulcak, if you're interested in purchasing one of these vests. The cost to each member is ONLY $20 - A really great deal! Many members have already purchased one of these vests and are starting to wear them to our monthly meetings. It would really be great if all our membership could wear this vest when attending special Chapter functions or events as a group. And one very special upcoming event will be when the Vietnam War Traveling Wall comes to El Campo next year.
- Our in-house PX store is growing! See photos below. Much thanks goes out to James Kulcak for putting a lot of time and effort into finding and ordering all the items for the PX. All proceeds from the PX goes into helping pay for chapter operating and project expenses.
- There being no further business, President Sternadel declared the meeting adjourned.
- And finally - Much thanks goes out to John Steelman, our Chapter Secretary/Treasurer, for taking and providing us with the excellent meeting minutes!
CLICK HERE to View or Print Dwight's Handout Sheet
CLICK HERE to view Dwight's VSO home page
CLICK HERE to view Dwight's VSO home page
CLICK HERE to read the full Chapter report on the WCVBS Fair
CLICK HERE to read the full VSO report on the WCVBS Fair
