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Report: Vietnam Veterans Family Day Outing 11-13-2021
[posted on: 11-17-2021]

VVA Chapter 1069 - El Campo, Texas 2021 Vietnam Veterans Family Day Outing

Texas VVA Chapter 1069 held its 6th annual Veterans Family Day outing. Many members, spouses and 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 13, 2021. The outing was hosted by Mike and Nancy Ryan, supporters of all Veterans organizations and Veterans in the Wharton County area and great friends of VVA Chapter 1069. VVA Chapter 1069 sends a big Thank-You to Mike & Nancy, for a great outing and wonderful catered meal. Click on the image to the left to view or print the full size photo.

It turned out to be a great weather day for holding the event! Everyone enjoyed seeing each other again and just having great conversation.

And again this year the ferris wheel is back (see photo above)! The chapter wants to thank chapter members Mark Pilcik and Buck Matthews, of East Bernard, for volunteering to pull the ferris wheel to the outing ... all the way from Boling ... and at a lighting speed of 35-40mph! And as last year, it was a big hit with the kids!

As above photo shows, we had a pretty good turnout for the outing. Our ultimate goal is to have a 100% attendance from our membership.

Above photo shows 5 good looking Vietnam Vetrans, all members of El Campo VVA Chapter 1069. Left to right... Louis, Leonard, Augie, Ronnie & Larry.

As above photo shows, Mike has a wonderful facility on the lake for holding events like this. Everyone really enjoys coming out to the Ryan lake for a fun day event.

Everyone brought lawn chairs to the event. The big fishing pier is a favorite place to gather and visit with each other.

As above photo shows, the covered building with tables and benches, provides for another great place to gather and visit, while being out of the sun. Not to mention, the great view of the lake!

Above photo shows chapter member, Mark Pilcik and grandson, fishing for the BIG one! Unfortunately, Mike lost many fish to the hard Texas February 2021 freeze, and so, the fishing was not as productive as it has been for past outings. But, fish were still caught.

YES! As above photo shows, despite the fish loss due to the February freeze, fish were still caught! And what a beautiful day it was for fishing on the lake!

And as above photo shows, the big fishing pier is a popular place to gather.. for some great conversation and to watch fish being caught.

Above photo shows some of the various snacks and deserts brought by attending members. And to be sure, take it from one who knows, Hmmm, they were wonderful!

And not to forget, the evening meal was catered by LONE STAR CAFE, located on highway 71, in Taiton, TX. And what a great meal they brought out... grilled pork chops and grilled chicken breasts, mashed potatoes & gravy, and green beans! If you want some great home cooking, be sure to pay them a visit for one of the best lunches you'll ever have. A big thanks to them for a job well done.

Above photo shows several chapter member's wives enjoying the outing. Left to right, Brenda, Sharon & Carolyn.

Above photo shows Billy & Leonard in some deep conversation I'm sure.

Finally, we did get the whole gang together (see photo above). What a great looking bunch of Vietnam veterans! Do note the guy barely visible, 3rd from the left, with the cowboy hat - that's Mike Ryan, our host for the day. A big thanks goes out to Mike and his wife Nancy for inviting our chapter to their place for a Vietnam Veterans Family Day outing. It was enjoyed by all.

These events are such a great opportunity for our membership to relax and visit with each other. As Vietnam veterans, we're not getting any younger, and getting together like this is really an enjoyable event. Be sure to thank Mike & Nancy when you see them, for hosting an outing like this for our membership and their families.

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 & Nancy Ryan for hosting the event and being big supporters of our chapter and all Veterans in and around Wharton County. And finally, a BIG Thank-You to Lone Star Cafe for catering the event for us veterans - we appreciate their support.

Note that this is the 6th year Mike has hosted a Veterans Family Day Outing for our chapter membership. Use the 5 links below to see the full report (with pictures) for the past 5 outings.

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