The chapter officers and membership appreciate Mikeska's support for our VVA chapter! Thank you.
-
Photos below show both Chapter President, Richard Woods (Left), and Chapter Vice-President, Prudencio
Arriaga (Right), opening the meeting at 6:00pm.
Prudencio led the membership in the Pledge of Allegience...
And Richard led the membership with an opening prayer...
-
There were 32 members in attendance, including spouses and guests that attended this meeting.
See photo below. Much thanks to all those that attended!
- All those who were having birthdays in November were recognized. Everyone then sang Happy Birthday to them.
- The meeting was then temporarily adjourned to allow our membership and attending guests to go next door to get an evening dinner from Mikeska's BBQ restaurant.
- The meeting was reopened at 7:00 pm - The following business shown below was conducted.
-
Richard then asked our Wharton County Service Officer representative, Alex Peterson, to give a presentation
to the attending members - see photo below.
Alex then presented some information for the membership regarding Texas specific veteran benefits that
were listed on a chart from the
Texs Veterans Commission
The chart shows the various benefits available to Texas veterans based off (1) their VA disability rating
and (2) type of military discharge. See the chart below...
Some of the special benefits that Texas Veterans can receive are listed below...
- Full Medical Benefits
- Waiver of national service Life Insurance premiums
- Tax-Free Student Loan forgiveness
- Dental treatment
- Partial or Total Exemption from Property Taxes
- Free Texas Driver's License
- Free Texas State Park Admission
- Free Texas Hunting and Fishing License
- Special License plates
- Mileage reimbursemant for VA Medical appointments
- Clothing Allowence for prostetic devices
- Veterans preference on Civil Service
- Access to Commissary, Military Exchange
- Home Loan guarantee fee exemption
- Educational Assistance
- Texas Veterans Land Board housing assistance program
- Texas Veterans Land Board home improvement program
Use link below to read or print the online 2-page benefits chart to see the full list of
Texas Veteran's benefits and requirements. The chart (PDF file) has been copied to our chapter's website.
Click Here to VIEW or PRINT the Texas Veterans Benefits Chart (2 pages)
Much thanks to Alex & Jessica for attending our meeting and presenting the information to the membership!
If you have any questions regarding these benefits, please contact or visit Jessica Collard (photo below), the
Wharton County Service Officer for all Veterans. Use the link below to also see her contact information
and office hours on our chapter website.
Jessica Collard - Wharton County VSO (see above photo)
1017 North Alabama Road
Wharton TX, 77488
Phone: (979) 532-1311
Fax: (979) 531-0758
Click Here to visit Jessica's webpage - Chapter Secretary/Treasurer, John Steelman, then gave the treasurer's report.
- John Steelman then reminded everyone of the upcoming Vietnam Veterans Family Day outing at Ryan lake and passed around a sign-up sheet for those who would be attending the event. The outing would be catered and a tent setup in case of rain.
- Richard then reminded everyone that the El Campo ISD will be hosting a Veterans Day Parade, Friday, November 10. Everyone will meet at the El Campo Civic Center, 8:45 am to 9-30 am. If you are participating in the parade, please wear your chapter vest & cap!
-
The image below shows Billy Orsak holding his monthly planning committee meeting an hour (5:00 pm) before
the start of our November monthly chapter meeting. The items on his meeting agenda are shown below.
Billy Orsak’s planning committee meeting Agenda (for the April 2024 event) is also shown below.
Planning Committee Agenda Items...
- Taiton Hall: Review the proposed table arrangements presented at the last meeting and address any comments.
- Decorations: Any new information on decorations/costs? Carolyn to provide Billy a list of costs to date to update expense sheet.
- Raffle: There will be a bucket raffle table and a 50/50 raffle. Clint Dillion has started contacting people and businesses. He will provide an update at the committee meeting. Items pledged from last month’s meeting include 2 handmade quilts, 10 carving boards, 1 handmade Bowie knife, ice chests, gift certificates, and individual cash donations totaling$500.
- Staffing: Any update from Mrs. Boone or Brenda Steelman about getting volunteers from the civic clubs to work the event?
- Meal Choices: Date is scheduled with Mikeska’s. Will need to have final headcount and meal choice to them by March 25th.
- Program: It was decided at last month’s meeting that the Missing Man Table presentation will be the focal point of the program. Discuss the ceremony and what we want to include. Randy has made inquiries about the availability of a Marine detail that primarily does burial ceremonies and flag presentations. This would incur additional expense to the chapter. Missing Man Table ceremony documents do not include the placement of a folded flag on the table. Most do however include headcovers of the five services and a POW/MIA cap.
- Personal Photo Slide Show Presentation: Bob has contacted the other 4 chapters for pictures they may want to include. Dead line for submission is Jan 15, 2024. Bob will also remind our chapter members as well through out the remaining time before the event.
- Contact Mikeska’s about meal choices and inform group: Billy Orsak - 9/1/23 - Complete
- Gather input for the raffle and notify group: Billy Orsak/Clint Dillion, 9/1/23, Complete
- Update Expense/Income Sheet: Billy Orsak - 03/13/2024 - Ongoing
- Get contract for Hall: Carolyn/Louis Milder - 10/31/23 - Complete
- Create sample program for handout: Billy Orsak - 01/2024 - In progress
- Create slide show of pictures for event: Bob Supak - 01/15/24 - In progress
- Get check for Hall deposit to AJ: John Steelman - 11/30/2023 - Complete
Phone: (979) 236-9402
Email: borsak@brazoriainet.com Prudencio Arriaga
Phone: (979) 253-4804
Email: prudencio.arriaga@gmail.com Note that the next event planning committee will hold it's monthly meeting on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at 5:00 pm in Mikeska's banquet room. Please try and attend the meeting as the event date is drawing near.
Phone: (979) 332-0071
Email: jsteelman5509@yahoo.com