THE SPIRIT OF ‘776

J U LY 2 0 0 9 N E W S L E T T E R
VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA CHAPTER 776
“ I N S E RV I C E T O A M E R I C A . ”

Service Officers
Clarke Barnes
309 944-3674 z
Board of Directors Meeting z

Ed Gaudet Chapter President Greg Paulline held his first Board of Directors
Meeting on June 17th. The meeting was held at the American
563 343-9456
Legion building on 35th Street in Davenport. Members in
attendance were, David Woods, Ed Gaudet, Ed Gilmore, Mike
David Woods DeGeeter, Larry Witt, Art Heyderman, Marlene Marolf, Harold
563 391-3702 Hansen, and John Lavelle.
The meeting was called to order projects that the chapter funds
by President Greg Paulline. during the year to better expose
Service Coordinators
The group learned that the the nature of our service. The
R. Ernest Ledjte election report and the financial board members also discussed
563 785-6182 report have been sent on to a request by Chapter 299 to
national. The members fund raise in the city of
Larry Loots discussed the chapter by-laws Davenport. Further discussion
563 212-8351 and looked at making updates will take place between the two
only in informational elements chapters on this issue. Mike
of the by-laws. The various DeGeeter discussed a return to
committees were discussed and the Bettendorf VFW for our
Iowa City VA Hospital is in need plans for each of the monthly meetings. This will be
of a Service Coordinator. The committees were also discussed. discussed over the next few
individual will be trained to help One area specifically discussed meetings with chapter members
veterans and their family work was having the finance and to determine the location for
through the process with the community service committee our membership meetings.
VA, for benefits with the VA. It
work together in creating a Mike pointed out that the VFW
is an unpaid position, but travel
expenses will be provided. comprehensive list of various (continued on page 2 “VFW”)
Contact Ed Gaudet.
(563) 343-9456 Officers and Board of Directors
President Greg Paulline 388-9068 Dir. Mike DeGeeter 391-8427
Vice-President Marlene Marolf 391-9621 Dir. Ed Gaudet 659-5421
Treasurer Harold Hansen 391-7776 Dir. Ed Gilmore 762-2415
Secretary John Lavelle 355-4213 Dir. Art Heyderman 359-4186
Web Master Roger Granbois 650-4958 Dir. Larry Witt 388-7179
(continued from page 1 “VFW”) provided more of an opportunity for social interaction after the
meetings. He also indicated, as did David Woods, that the issue of parking is vastly improved at the
Bettendorf VFW. The members will discuss this at the next regular membership meeting and a vote will
follow at the August meeting as to the meeting location. Also at this meeting a reporting form to be used
by the delegates to the national convention was discussed. The purpose of the form is to help inform the
members of the events that take place at the national convention and the observations of how these
events will effect the local chapter. The form is open ended and asks for the delegate to state the name
and purpose of the event and how they felt it would impact our chapter members. A number of possible
projects for the coming year were discussed by the board. They included the possibility of having a
discussion with the Bettendorf VA Clinic to see how the chapter might assist them with needs that would
improve their mission of caring for veterans health in the QC Area. Ed Gaudet informed the members
that a grant from the Iowa City VA Hospital of $4,100 is available to handicapped veterans to aid in
building a handicap accessible ramp. The ramp must be constructed by a VA certified contractor. If
members are aware of VA certified contractors a listing of local contractors might be developed to assist
those veterans who could benefit from this grant program. Future directors meetings were discussed and
a meeting of the board of directors is tentatively set for thirty minutes before the September
membership meeting. Minutes of Directors meeting submitted by John Lavelle, chapter secretary.

Greg Paulline proudly stand in front of the 53rd Street Hy-Vee. The goal for our yearly fund raiser was
something that brought a smile to his face as well as all those who stood out in the heat. Great job by our
chapter members in working hard to fund our activities. Come to the meeting in July for all the details.
 Minutes for June Membership Meeting 2009
The meeting was called to order by President Greg Paulline. The members recited the pledge of
allegiance followed by a moment of silence observed for all POW/MIA and all those still serving our
great nation in harms way. The members each introduced themselves by name as is our practice.
Present were Vice-president Marlene Marolf, Secretary John Lavelle, and Treasurer Harold Hansen.
The minutes for the May meeting were accepted as published in the newsletter. Harold Hansen
informed the members of our current financial status. Larry Witt, membership chair told the members
that we have 110 VVA members and 17 AVVA members. A membership list was passed among the
members and they were asked to add their email or cell phone numbers as they saw fit. Jett Bork has
indicated that a convertible is available for any member who would like to ride in the Bettendorf July 4th
Parade. Ed Gaudet said that the VSO office has been busy and also informed the members that there is
a need for a volunteer in the office in Iowa City to serve as a Service Coordinator. This individual will
assist the veterans in the initial journey through the VA process. The volunteer will be trained with the
intention of further training to become a Service Officer. Contact Ed Gaudet for further information.
Marlene Marolf stated that as the chair for both the Minority Affairs and Women Veterans Committees
that she is very concerned about attracting more minority members and will seek out more women
veterans for membership. Public Affairs chair, Art Heyderman is looking for more ways to have the
efforts to assist local veterans published in local news media as well as in the Veteran. Art is going to
develop an accurate PSA list which he will use to share the activities of our chapter with the public. It
was brought to the members attention that chapter member Bud Gillitzer has been undergoing
treatment for cancer. The chapter sends their wishes for a quick and complete recovery to Bud. The
pledge cards for Birdies for Charity will be turned in during the week of July 4th by John and Martha
Lavelle. Hope they all get turned in. Larry Witt spoke for David Woods about Honor Flight. There will
be back to back flights in October to Washington D.C. and in the October 10th flight four brothers who
all served in World War II will travel together to see the monuments. Whiteside county in Illinois is
going to become part of the Quad City Honor Flight. The cost of the Honor Flights varies and is tied
to the fuel costs at the time the flight is booked. Lyle Peterson asked that the disbursement of funds from
the Brady Street Stadium Military Appreciation cook out be tabled until August when the schools are
back in session. Clover Sales begin Friday and Greg Paulline asked that members attempt to count the
money so that he can determine the amounts donated in the AM and the PM at each location. We have
already received $120 in donations. Ed Gaudet told the members that Stand Down expects at least 200
homeless for its September 17 18-19 event. The chapter will cook and serve a lunch of brats and hot
dogs on Saturday. Proposals for the VVA national Convention are on the VVA web site and members
are encouraged to view them and to contact our delegates with any concerns or questions. Delegates are
Ed Gilmore, Art Heyderman, and Larry Loots. The chapter will conduct a 50/50 raffle and a flag
presentation for the August River Valley Car Club car show at North Park Mall. Art Heyderman signed
up members for military discount cards from the Association of the United States Army. Chuck Lynch,
a Vietnam veteran, works in Iowa City and travels throughout the area attempting to sign up veterans
from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom to the VA system spoke to the
members about the importance of getting enrolled in the VA. He also spoke of the changes taking place
in the VA. Mike DeGeeter spoke to the members about the possibility of returning to the Bettendorf
VFW or to the Davenport American Legion for out meetings. There will be more discussion concerning
this over the next few months. The members discussed the proposed John Baker memorial at Jumer’s
Casino and the fund raising efforts related to this memorial. More information will be coming. The
meeting was adjourned. Minutes submitted by John P. Lavelle, secretary.
 Iowa VVA State Council Report
On Saturday June 27, 2009, the Iowa State Council of the Vietnam Veterans of America held their
quarterly meeting in Marshalltown, Iowa. The election of officers was held and all of the current
officer holders were reelected. John Bishop of Chapter 776 was reelected as the State Council
President. The remainder of the meeting focused on the financial status of the state council, which
is rather dire. At present the state council has just $500 in its account. Last year the council
needed $61,000 to operate. At present the state council uses telemarketers and they have received
$2,100 over the last 12 months. They also receive $1600 every month from VVA National. Ed
Gaudet has made efforts in the past to have the state council enter into the “household goods” area
in an effort to raise funds, but have not received the go ahead from VVA national to embark on
this program. This past year the state council had to purchase new computers to be used by the
VSO for the state and this cost has added to the financial burden of the state. Ed Gaudet says that
a 501c rating for the state council would help considerably in the future, and if there is a lawyer
that could do this project gratis it would be a great boon to the state council.

Roger and Linda Granbois have invited members to an old

fashioned summer Barbeque. A great way for the
members to socialize this years.
Thank you, Roger and Linda!