- The meeting was held at Mikeska’s BBQ, El Campo, TX.
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Photo below - President Leonard Sternadel declared the meeting open at 1900 hours and the following business was
transacted.
- The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was recited and a prayer was said.
- Sternadel then recognized Ascension Quintanilla Jr., as a new member.
- He also welcomed all the guests including Carol Wooton from Blake Farenthold's office and visiting members from Victoria VVA Chapter No. 898.
- The meeting was then recessed for the meal and reconvened at 1945.
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Photo below - Sternadel introduced Ms. Wooton who explained she was a field representative that mingled with the
constituents to help address problems that might need attention. Of importance she mentioned the recently passed
FACT (Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency) Act. She stated that one-third of the claims were related to the
military and related civilian personnel that worked around government facilities and equipment. This new legislation
is designed to detect corruption regarding false claims or claims that the attorneys are pocketing the money on.
She urged any member to contact her if there were problems they encountered.
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Photo below - Sternadel then introduced Ernest Montez, President of Victoria Texas, VVA Chapter # 898. Montez stated that
the upcoming April VVA Texas State Council (TSC) convention will be held in Victoria. He explained that financial
support/help was needed to offset many of the costs associated with hosting the Texas VVA convention.
Photo below - He also stated that the booklets (booklet cover shown below) of ads were being solicited and that various
size business, personal and business cards, sized ads were available. Prices for the various sized ads ranged from $50
to $250. Again, his money would help their VVA chapter to offset the cost of bringing the TSC meeting to Victorial.
Sternadel urged the members to help support this effort if possible. VVA Chapter 898 contact information is shown below.
Contact information shown below for Chapter 898:
VVA CHAPTER #898
Crossroads Chapter
P.O. Box 1111
Victoria, TX 77902-1111
Send email to Chapter 898 (mailto:vva898victoria@gmail.com)
Phone: (361) 578-1345
NOTE: It appears that VVA Chapter 898's website is no longer accessable. - The minutes of the last meeting were approved as presented.
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Photo below shows Dwight Winkler, our chapter's VSO giving his monthly Veteran's Benefits presentation. Dwight also
thanked Leonard and Dana (and Ronnie...) for their work with the Austin trip and for all those that helped make the
Christmas party such a success. He then provided a handout covering some of the benefits (topics listed below)
available to veterans.
(1) Dwight's contact information
(2) No Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) For 2016
(3) Bill Introduced For Emergency COLA For 2016
(4) No Increase In Pharmacy Co-Pays
(5) VA Plans Expanded Disability Benefits For Camp LeJeune Veterans
(6) Disability Compensation Is Non-Taxable
CLICK HERE to View or Print Dwight's January 2016 Handout
Photo below shows Dwight's VSO help desk setup at the meeting (and every meeting) and of course, the photo also
shows Dwight helping one of our chapters members with some VA benefits-related issue. The chapter would like to
give Dwight a big THANK-YOU for all that you do to help us - we need it!!! We are truly lucky to have our own VSO
that attends all of our chapter meetings.
- The following additional topics were covered in the meeting:
- We just got word that the VVA National's $100.00 life-time membership sale has been extended indefinitely! Until VVA National produces a new application form, you may use the existing application form. When you fill out the form, simply scratch out the "August 1 – December 31, 2015" expiration date, located at the top of the form, and mail it in. BE SURE to include our chapter # (1069) on the form so that your membership will be properly associated with our chapter. You may use the link below to print the current form - we have a copy of it residing on our chapter's website. CLICK HERE to View or Print the application form
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The November 2015 bus trip to Austin to visit the Texas State Vietnam Veterans Monument (TCVVM) and the Texas State
Cemetery was a success. We'd like to thank all those members & spouses that attended the function. Also thanks to
Dana Sternadel for writing the article that appeared in the El Campo Leader News newspaper and to those who provided
pictures from the trip. A full trip report, including photos, may also be viewed on our chapters's website using the
link below.
CLICK HERE to read the November 2015 Austin Trip Report
- DVD copies of the process and details of the monument will soon be available.
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The Christmas party was a huge success and fed 97 people. We'd like to thank all of those that helped with the party
preparation. We's also want to thank Dana Sternadel for writing a report about the party. Use the link below to read
the full report, photos included.
CLICK HERE to view the Christmas Party 2015 Report
- Thanks to those that helped with the GI Joe and Jane project.
- Thanks to those that helped with the Wreaths Across America project.
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The chapter also wants to thank Louis & Carolyn Milder for taking ownership of the newly formed
VVA Chapter 1069 Historian Project
for our chapter. Their job will be to keep physical records of all chapter events that are reported on by public and
community publications, such as local and out of town newspapers, booklets, flyers, advertisments, online social media
sites, magazines, radio broadcasts, etc. They ask for your help with this project by providing them with any news
articles or social media news (may provide print outs of anything you see online) you may come across that's related to
our chapter. The photo below shows some of the physical news stories that they have already accumulated, posted for
viewing at the meeting. An additional Historian binder will be included for viewing all accumulated clippings.
- Sternadel asked the members to be thinking about group activities or projects for the upcoming year.
- He added a stand down was being considered in April.
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Sternadel again reminded everyone ... GET YOUR BIO INFORMATION TO BOB SUPAK!!!!
We currently we have a total of 20 members in our Family Bio & Photo album - not a bad start for this project which
we started in Sept of 2014. We sure would like to more members into the album, or at the least, be able to provide our
members with their own personal Bio & Photo booklet. Please think about participating in this project. And again, if you
do not want to be included in the chapter album, at least let Bob prepare a personal Bio & Photo booklet for you and
your family. The booklet can at least serve as some small rememberance to your family of your time in service.
CLICK HERE for information regarding the Bio & Photo Project
Please contact Bob Supak if you would like to participate in this project. You may also email all information to Bob.
Bob's email address is shown below:
Email: Send email to Bob Supak
- There being no further business, President Sternadel declared the meeting adjourned at 2045.
- John F. Steelman, Secretary