Above photo shows folks arriving early in the evening. The Mikeska crew had done a wonderful job of putting up a huge Christmas tree in the banquet room, along with other various Christmas displays & decorations.
Texas VVA Chapter 1069 held its 6th annual Christmas Party at Mikeska's BBQ in El Campo. 112 members, spouses & guests attended the Christmas party, another record attendance! The Social hour lasted from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Wine, beer, punch & snacks were enjoyed before the meal, with fun activites following the meal. The evening dinner was catered by Mikeska's BBQ. The membership enjoyed roast beef, buttered mashed potatoes, gravy, mixed vegetable meadly, salad, with peach cobbler & ice cream for dessert. The Mikeska staff really did a wonderful job preparing and serving the meal.
Below - A Christmas message from Leonard Sternadel, President of VVA Chapter 1069, to the Chapter membership...
The turnout was wonderful; biggest crowd since our chapter's been in existence; we fed 112 guests and Mikeska's cooked a great meal. Thanks to everyone who made it possible .... Carolyn Milder with all the decorations she brought from home, and Louis Milder and Charla Kulcak for helping decorate; those who sat at the registration table, Rose Piekert and Dale Boone, and to member Ron Miller who dropped in to help; and most importantly, to my wife Dana Sternadel for coordinating the event. Thanks also to Frank and Nancy Kacal, who volunteered to help at the ticket table so all members could visit. Thanks also to Gerry and Nick Mikeska for allowing us to call their restaurant our "home" and their employees for all the help and cleanup, especially Jody who helps us all year long.
Special guests included Mike and Nancy Ryan; Lillian Bartek; El Campo Chief of Police Terry Stanphill and his wife Denise; our state Representative Phil Stephenson; and Bret Macha from Congressman Blake Farenthold's office.
Chapter 1069 had a great year and I hope the coming year sees us continue our success; the camaraderie between members that I see at every monthly meeting makes our chapter stand out as a very unique service organization. I was very proud on Saturday (the 16th) as I represented the Army during the Wreaths Across America ceremony in El Campo, that so many other chapter members either attended or participated, as I know you also did in Wharton and other communities (story at bottom of page) . Thanks to every chapter member for your support.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Leonard & Dana
And now for some fun photos of VVA Chapter 1069's 2017 Christmas Party...
Merry Christmas to all!
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On a final note, VVA Chapter 1069 participates in the yearly Wreaths Across America program, whereby the chapter purchases Christmas Wreaths to be placed on Veterans graves in the Wharton County area. As Leonard stated in his above Christmas message, Chapter members volunteer their time to help with the laying of the Wreaths at various cemetaries in and around Wharton County. And again, he would like to thank those Chapter members for for helping with this program at Christmas time. This year, a Wreaths Across America ceremony was held at Oaklawn cemetary in El Campo, where Leonard & other chapter members attended the program. The photo at left shows Leonard, later at Garden Of Memories cemetary, also in El Campo, setting a Wreath on the gravesite of Patrick Gwosdz , our latest chapter member to have passed away on November 29, 2017. [back to top] |
And in closing, you may use the links below to read the report and see the photos from VVA Chapter 1069's past 5 Christmas Parties...
5th Annual 2016 Christmas Party Report & Photos
4th Annual 2015 Christmas Party Report & Photos
3rd Annual 2014 Christmas Party Report & Photos
2nd Annual 2013 Christmas Party Report & Photos