Above photo: The American Legion Post #346, located in Ganado, Texas.
A group of VVA Chapter #1069 members and spouses attended a Memorial Day Program on Monday, May 30th, 2016. The event was held in Ganado, Texas, and was sponsored by the Ganado American Legion, Post #346. Our chapter President, Leonard Sternadel was invited to speak at the program. The Legion leadership also offered a special open invitation to our entire membership to also attend the event. The Legion put on a wonderful and patriotic program. After the program, a full menu breakfast was served to everyone that attended. VVA Chapter 1069 would like to thank Ganado American Legion Post #346 for inviting VVA Chapter 1069 to participate in and attend the Memorial Day Program.
Above photo: The American Legion Post #346, located in Ganado, Texas.
Above photo: The American Legion Post Commander opens the Memorial Day program.
Above photo: American Legion member and Legion Post Chaplain, Paul Kovar, gives the opening prayer. Paul is also a
Vietnam Veteran and a member of VVA Chapter 1069. Since our VVA Chapter is relatively new (only 4 years old), many
of our Vietnam veteran membership have at one time or still do, belong to other Veteran organizations, such as the
American Legion, VFW or DAV.
Above photo: Carol Wootton attended the program. She is a field representative for Congressman Blake Farenthold and
was there to say a few patriotic words on behalf of Congressman Farenthold. Her primary duties for the Congressman
are to help address problems that might need attention for the Congressman's constituents. This includes any/all
Veterans that may be having Benefits type problems or issues with the VA. Carol has also attended several of our
chapter meetings.
Above photo: Alan Vajdos of Ganado, a local musician and entertainer, along with several other musicians, played several
partiotic songs during the program. All those who atteneded, sang along with each and every song played by Alan and his
group.
Above photo: The American Legion Post Commander gives a brief history of Leonard Sternadel's 26 year military career and
then introduces Leonard as the guest speaker for the 2016 Memorial Day program.
Above photo: Leonard's Memorial Day talk was about Dan Malcik, who lived next door to him while he was growing up
and going to school as a kid in Ganado Texas. When Leonard returned from his tour in Vietnam, he remembered having
several talks with Dan in the backyard. Dan Malcik too served in the military during WW-II. He was in the 60th CA
on Corregidor and was a Japanese POW for 40 months in Cabanatuan and other Japanese prisoner of war camps.
Above photo: During Leonard's talk, he disclosed many personal stories of Dan's time in captivity as a POW. Dan Malcik
died June 19, 1972 in Ganado, Texas. Dan Malcik was a member of the American Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor (ADBC)
organization. Leonard's talk reminded everyone who attended the Memorial Day program how fortunate we are to live in this
great country, the United States of America.
Above photo shows some of the VVA Chapter 1069 members that attended the Memorial Day program. Left to right are;
George McKelvy, Louis Milder, Bob Supak and Chapter Vice President, Frank Kulcak.
Above photo: At the end of the program, two local pilots provided a fly-over to commemorate Memorial Day.
Above photo: A final group photo of the VVA Chapter 1069 members that attended the American Legion's Memorial Day Program,
in Ganado, Texas. Our chapter would again like to thank the American Legion Post #346 for inviting us to attend the event.
Everyone had a great time and would like to come back for next year's program.