Meeting Report 3-8-2017

The monthly VVA chapter 1069 meeting was held in the big banquet room at Mikeska's BBQ (located on Hwy 59), in El Campo, Tx.

VVA Chapter 1069 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. The meeting was then recessed for the meal and reconvened at 1945.

The following Board members were present: Sternadel, Steelman, F. Kulcak, Woods, and Supak.

Sternadel then mentioned that more copies of the 22 minute documentary video created by the Sternadel's son-in-law, Bret Granato, were available at the PX table. See a sample snapshot of the video below showing the Rose ceremony.

The video was about our chapter's participation when the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall was in El Campo in 2015 and was shown at February's meeting. The main subject of the video was our chapter's Rose Ceremony that commemorated Wharton County servicemen who were killed in Vietnam. The video also included actual war footage and various photos from the Wall's four-day stay along with a very appropriate sound (music) track. A very professional and high quality video. Note that the chapter has made enough copies of the video so that every member can have one for free. They are available at every meeting for pickup at our PX table - Please be sure to get one!

Sternadel asked Vice-President, Frank Kulcak, chairman of the nominating committee, for their report. Kulcak stated that the current officers were being recommended for consideration and that Calvin Mahlmann had agreed to serve if necessary as a director.

In his monthly handout Dwight included updated contact information for all those needing help with benefit questions. Also included was information regarding the following: the new VA Secretary Dr. David Shulkin was sworn in; the Toxic Exposure Act of 2015 was approved in 2016; presumptive diseases were approved for Marines at Camp Lejeune; listing of a few new businesses that offered veteran’s discounts; and an explanation of distribution of VA benefits and services for Wharton County. He also informed the chapter that an administrative assistant was being considered for the VSO. More information will be presented in the future. Click on the link below to View or Print Dwight's handout.

Sternadel stated that the Agent Orange Town Hall meeting will be held in Victoria on March, 18, 2017. He went over the details included in the handout. Please spread the word to any veteran and/or spouse that you might know. Hep C will also be a topic of importance that will be discussed. He urged all members to attend if possible.

Sternadel then commented that our Chapter's Bio & Photo Album/Booklet project had been submitted as an entry into 2016-2017 Operation ED-U-CATE project, of the Vietnam Veterans Assistance Foundation of Texas" (VVAFT) . Every year the VVAFT takes nominations from all Texas VVA Chapters for some particular Community OR Veteran related project that the chapter may be involved with. There are certain criteria that must be met and a 500 word essay with photos must accompany the entry. All entries are judged by the VVAFT Board of Directors. The Grant Awards are as follows: 1st place - $500, 2nd place - $300, 3rd place - $200, 4th place - $100. Use the link below to read the official contest entry requirements and learn more about the contest rules and requirements.
CLICK HERE to View or Print the ED-U-CATE contest entry criteria

The local VFW is on the brink of closing their doors and shutting down their chapter. Their membership is down and they are basically broke. A meeting is forthcoming to determine its future. They ask that you please attend, if you are a member of the VFW.
CLICK HERE to visit the El Campo VFW website
CLICK HERE to Visit the El Campo VFW on Facebook

Get your Bio & Photo Album/Booklet/CD information to Bob Supak!!! Use the link below to read all the details regarding this chapter project. We currently have 21 chapter members who have participated in this project.
CLICK HERE to View details of the Bio & Photo Album/Booklet project

There being no further business, President Sternadel declared the meeting adjourned at 2045.
Much thanks to our chapter Secretary, John Steelman for providing the basic contents of this report.

VVA Chapter 1069 Meeting Report for: Mar, 3-8-2017 [posted on: 3-20-2017]