Meeting Report 5-10-2023

VVA Chapter 1069 Meeting Report for: May 5-10-2023
[posted on: 5-11-2023]

The meeting was held in the banquet room at Mikeska’s BBQ, (located on Hwy 59) El Campo, TX.

Chapter President, Richard Woods, opened the meeting at 6:00 pm.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was recited and the membership was led in prayer by Richard.

There were about 40 members, spouses and guests that attended this meeting. Below photo shows some of the attendees as they returned with their Mikeska meal.

Richard then announced the passing of a chapter member, Kenneth Sternadel, and said a prayer for Kenneth. See photo below. Kenneth passed away on 4/26/2023. The Chapter officers and membership are saddened by Kenneth's passing, and want to extend their heartfelt condolences to his spouse Ann Sternadel and his family. He will surely be missed by all. May Kenneth rest in peace - he will not be forgotten.

Use the link below to view Kenneth's obituary on the Slavik funeral home website:
Visit Slavik Funeral Home's Obituary for Kenneth
Use the link below to view Kenneth's Memorial on our chapter's website:
Visit Chapter 1069's Memorial to Kenneth

All members (6 total) with birthdays in May were recognized and everyone sung Happy Birthday.

Richard then introduced a representative (the chapter's Registrar) from the Austin Colony DARs (Daughters of the American Revolution) chapter, Austin, Texas, Missy Roberts. Her and her husband (a Vietnam Veteran) came to our meeting to present our chapter with a special award and flag. See photos below.

DAR - Daughters of the American Revolution
NSDAR - National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution
Use the link below to visit the DAR National website.
Visit the DAR National Website

Above photo shows Missy Roberts, the Registrar from the Austin Colony DARs (Daughters of the American Revolution) chapter, located in Austin, Texas.
For more perspective on the award presented to our chapter, the National DAR organization started a project 6 years ago, in conjunction (partnered with) with the offical United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration program (Department of Defense), to honor and recognize the 7 million veterans and 10 million family members of those who served. The DAR organization is partnered with a National Welcome Home program to honor and recognize all Vietnam veterans (and widowed spouses). Part of their project is to visit all Texas VVA Chapters and to honor the Chapter and its members by presenting each chapter with an official Welcome Home Commemorative certificate/award and 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Flag, provided by the America Vietnam War Commemoration program. And, it just so happened, that tonight was Texas VVA Chapter 1069's turn to receive the honors! And for sure, it was very much appreciated by the Chapter's Officers and all attending chapter members!
Use the link below to visit Missy's NSDAR (National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution) Austin Colony, Austin, Texas, chapter online.
Visit the Austion Colony NSDAR Chapter Website

Above photo shows chapter President, Richard Woods, receiving the "Welcome Home" Commemoration award, on behalf of the entire chapter.

Above photo shows chapter President, Richard Woods, receiving the "Welcome Home" Commemoration Flag, on behalf of the entire chapter.

In the photo above, the main inscription reads...
"This distinction is reserved for and conferred upon organizations consisting solely those who "bore the battle" or "bore the loss" of the Vietnam War. A grateful Nation honors your collective service and untold sacrifices. Welcome Home! Done on this 6th day of April 2023"
And the inscription in the lower left corner reads...
"A Grateful Nation Thanks and Honors Our Vietnam War Veteran for Their Service, Valor & Sacrifice"

The above and below photos show the "50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War" Commemorative Flag that was presented to our chapter.

To learn more about the DARs "Welcome Home" project - A Commemorative Partnership with the Vietnam War Commemoration Program, use the links below to visit several websties that describe the NSDARs project goals of honoring all Vietnam War Veterans.

Use the link below to learn more about how NSDAR honors Vietnam Veterans.
Learn how NSDAR honors Vietnam Veterans
Note that NSDAR also Supports the Vietnam War Commemoration and Vietnam Veterans Day. Use the link below to learn how DARs honors Vietnam Veterans on that special day.
NSDAR supports Veterans on Vietnam Veterans Day
Use the link below to learn what is a Commemorative Partner with the Vietnam War Commemoration program.
What is a Commemorative Partner
Also note that members from our local Wharton DARs chapter also attended the meeting and setup a table of various gifts for our chapter members. See photos below...

In the above photo, a Wharton County DARs Comfort Woods chapter member, puts out some 50th Vietnam War Anniversary lapel pins for our chapter members to take home. Many thanks to the Wharton County DARs chapter members for attending our monthly chapter meeting - it was much appreciated by our attending members.
Use the link below to visit the Wharton County DARs Comfort Wood chapter website.
Visit the Wharton County DARs Comfort Wood chapter website

Texas VVA Chapter Officers, Directors and members want to THANK the National DARs organization, the Wharton County DARs Comfort Wood chapter, and especially the DARs Austin Colony chapter (and Missy Roberts), for recognizing and honoring our VVA chapter and its membership, by the presentation of the Vietnam War Commenorative Certificate award and the 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Flag. It is greatly appreciated by the chapter and its membership!

Richard then temporarily adjourned the meeting, to allow our membership and attending guests to go next door to get lunch from Mikeska's BBQ restaurant.

Richard then reopened the meeting at 7:00 pm - The following business was conducted...

Jessica Collard and her assistant, Alex, attended the meeting, along with Ross, a representative of ST. CHRISTINA's EMS service from Wharton, that gave presentation on new EMS transportation program for veterans in Wharton, Brazoria and Colorado counties. Ross explained how veterans can use their service for emergency transportation, with a high probability of VA picking up the bill. He also mentioned th St. Christina's is a family owned business that has a personal touch with all its patients.

He and Jessica have been working on this project for over a year, with the goal of somehow having VA pay for the EMS transportation of a veteran (or spouse) in need of help. He said that you should first call to verify free billing. Their dispatch number is: (979) 559-2961
You may also visit Jessica at her office in Wharton to get help with your VA benefits. Use the link below to visit her webpage that resides on our chapter's website. There you will find all her contact information and her office locations and hours.
WCVSO: Jessica Collard
1017 North Alabama Road
Phone: (979) 532-1311
Visit Jessica's Webpage

Richard then opened up a discussion about our chapter hosting the March 29, 2024, Vietnam War Veterans Day event. This will be a closed event limited to 5 local VVA chapters, and not open to the public. A core planning/steering committee was announced that will be accepting volunteers to help with the event. There was much enthusiasm generated by the attending members who were willing to help with the event planning. More details of the planning and organizing for this event will be sent directly to the chapter membership and further discussed at future chapter meetings.