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Report: Vietnam Veterans Family Day Outing 11-9-2019
[posted on: 11-21-2019]
Many members, spouses & family members of the Vietnam Veterans of America, VVA Chapter 1069,
of El Campo, Texas, attended a Vietnam Veterans Family Day outing at Ryan Lake, on Saturday,
November 9, 2019. Other veterans also attended, including the fellow in the center of the photo
below - he is a WW-II veteran!
(Click on above photo to View or Print a Hi-Res version of the group photo)
The outing was hosted by Mike Ryan (far left in group photo above), a great supporter of all local Veterans
organizations and Veterans. Thanks Mike, for supporting our chapter!
It turned out to a beautiful day for an outing on the lake.
Just look at that clear lake water!
This year, Mike had a nice large tent where tables and chairs were setup for the evening meal.
What a good looking bunch of Vietnam veterans!
This year Mike had a team from Nada Texas come out and cook BBQ on site!
This outing was a great opportunity for the guys to just relax and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow veterans.
Fish on! It was also a fun day for the kids to try their fishing skills.
As the afternoon progressed, more folks started to arrive.
And this year, something special for the kids - of all things, a ferris wheel! The chapter wants
to thank chapter member Mark & Berna Pilcik for getting roped .... whoa, wait ... I meant to
say, for "volunteering" to bring the ferris wheel to the outing.
And as we hear, it was no fun pulling it at a speedy "30mph" clip all the way from Wharton, and then back
to Wharton later that night ... and with no tail lights.
Mark said, if we'd go any faster, the ferris wheel would try to change lanes on its own!
For sure though, it was a big hit with the kids! Again, much thanks to Mark and Berna!
Vice-President of VVA chapter 1069 volunteers to be ferris wheel operator. Do note that an
MOS of 11-B is required to operate a ferris wheel in ths state of Texas.
The ferris wheel turned out to be a great entertainment even for the adults.
Yep, ferris wheel operator can be a lonely job.
Above photo shows two members of VVA chapter 1069.
Overheard while the photo was being taken... "Yeah, Leonard runs that ferris wheel pretty well,
but I think he spins those kids a bit too fast - their shoes are flying off!".
Above photo - two Vietnam veterans from Victoria. Ahhhh, to just sit in the sun and relax.
Mark & Leonard - two members of VVA chapter 1069.
Above photo - Frank Laitkep, President of VVA chapter 1069.
"I heard Leonard was spinning that ferris wheel pretty fast..."
Dinner bell!! Time to eat.
There was plenty of good BBQ and sides!
The BBQ boys from Nada did a great job of cooking the dinner meal and providing the deserts. The
chapter would like to thank them for supporting the veterans!
Everyone enjoyed the evening meal of BBQ brisket and homemade sausage!
Well as the saying goes ... all good things must come to an end.
But wait ... just one or two more stories before we go.
In closing, the Officers and BOD members of VVA Chapter 1069 would like to
thank all those VVA chapter members, spouses and their family members (and other veterans) that attended
the outing. We had a good turnout of members, spouses and other family members. A BIG Thank-You goes out
from the entire membership of VVA Chapter 1069 to Mike Ryan & Family for hosting the event and being
a big supporter of our chapter and all Veterans in and around Wharton County. And a BIG Thank-You to the
BBQ team (Killin' & Grillin') from Nada Texa, for coming out to cook for the veterans - we appreciate
your support.
Note that this is the 4th year Mike has hosted a Veterans Family Day Outing for our chapter membership.
Use the 3 links below to see the full report (with pictures) for both of those past three outings.
Vietnam Veterans Family Day Outing 2018
Vietnam Veterans Family Day Outing 2017
Vietnam Veterans Family Day Outing 2016
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