The Spirit of 776

October 2016

Meeting at Milestones on 53rd St.

October 26 at 1900 hours 7:00 P.M.

VIETNAM
VETERANS OF
AMERICA
CHAPTER 776
Never Again Will
One Generation of
Veterans Abandon
Another.

Volume 20 Issue 10

Veteran
Service Officers
&
Service
Coordinators
Clarke Barnes
309 944-3674
Ed Gaudet
563 343-9456
David Woods
563 326-8723
Ernest Ledjte
563 785-6182
Tom Lemon
563 359-3201

There will be many

activities on Veterans Day,

Honor Guard
John Lavelle
563 355-4213

the parade and this dance

Web Master
Roger Granbois
roger@granbois.net

observance of our chapter.

President Greg Paulline

Vice-President Bruce Cheek
Treasurer Harold Hansen
Secretary John Lavelle
Trustee. Lyle Peterson

will be central to the

Officers and Board of Directors

563 650-3055
Dir. David Woods
563 349-4129
Dir. Ed Gaudet
563 505-9674
Dir. Bill Matthews
563 355-4213
Dir. Steve Satre
563 386-1286
Dir. Larry Witt

563 326-8723
563 349-9456
563 355-5618
563 289-1776
563 388-7179

Minutes for September Membership Meeting

The meeting was called to order by President Greg Paulline at 1900 hrs. at Milestones in
Davenport. Officers present; President Paulline, vice president Cheek, treasurer Harold
Hansen, and acting secretary Steve Satre. The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance
and observed a moment of silence for POW/MIA's and also for those still serving in harms
way. A sheet was passed for members to sign and each member stated their attendance.
The minutes of the last meeting were approved as published in the newsletter. Harold
Hansen shared the current financial status of the chapter. Members in distress this
month: we learned that Ed Hildebrand is recovering from knee surgery and we hope to
see him at the next meeting. Lyle Peterson is having surgery on his hip and our thoughts
and prayers are with them. Chapter coins were presented by Woody, Ernest, Alicia
Owens, Nick, Tim Nations and Bruce. Sharing of our chapter coins is helping spread
awareness of who we are and also honors those that receive them. Larry Witt informed
the members that currently we have 43 individual members, 154 life members and 21
AVVA members for a total of 218 plus we have four pending applications. Jim Owens, for
community service committee, shared that on Saturday, November 5 a tentative visit is
scheduled for Palmer Hills at 3 PM. On November 6, General James Mukoyaya will speak
on the Morale Wounds of War at Risen Christ Lutheran Church, Davenport, at 2 PM.
Veteran service officer's reported that service from 1953 to 1987 at Camp Lejune and also
Navy blue water service during Vietnam are now eligible for compensation. The honor
guard will be participating in the Veterans Day parade at 10AM in downtown Davenport.
The Honor Guard will also participate in the Veterans Day event in Bettendorf at at 2 PM
at Veterans Park. The next Honor Flight is October 27. Craig Norris reported on standdown: 66 Vets participated; usually have 80 to 85 so apparently the programs are
working. 66 pair of boots and tennis shoes were given out. The chapter served hot dogs,
etc. at Stand Down noon Saturday, September 17. President Paulline made a motion that
we replace our MST conference with a conference on suicide prevention specifically
related to TBI and PTSD on March 18, 2017. Motion passed. Muscatine clover sales report
was given by Ed Gaudet. Larry Witt provided details of the Spooktacular trivia schedule
for October 15, 2016. A motion was made and approved to spend $150 for trivia. October
22, 2016 is the SeeBee spaghetti dinner at the American Legion Post 26 in Davenport 5:00 PM- $10 per person. Bruce Cheek has tickets.On the 11th day, of the 11th month, the
Vietnam Veteran's Welcome Home Dance will celebrate 11 years. Dance starts at 7 PM and
tickets are $13 per person in advance at Hy-Vee or $15.00 at the door. Dance will be at
Jumers Casino. Jason's box fall pheasant hunt is November 11 through the 15th. Several
members commented positively on the new Veteran's out reach center located at 415
Perry St., Davenport. The meeting was adjourned at 2012 hrs. Respectfully submitted by
Steve Satre for John P. Lavelle chapter secretary.

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Welcome Home
Dance
The 11th Dance
The 11th Month
The 11th Day
November 11, 2016
On October 18th this year, I observed the day fifty years ago that I swore to defend
the constitution of the United States and this nation from all enemies foreign and
domestic. It is hard to believe that it has been that long ago, but it is a fact, it was
long ago. It is also a fact that we were all indeed once young and in much better
shape than we are today. As I reflected on that day I remembered a number of other
young men that I served with both here in CONUS and in the Republic of South
Vietnam. I wondered what might have become of them and how their lives may have
turned out. As we approach this coming Veterans Day I hope that the memories that
creep back into your lives may bring a smile to your face as you recall the better
times from so far back. I hope also that you can plan to take part in some way to
honor all those who committed their young lives to the ideals that shaped our time in
uniform. I hope that you can see that our efforts were honorable and that those who
gave the ultimate sacrifice and their families are deserving of our respect this
Veterans Day, as are all of you who sacrificed by serving in our nations military. I
hope that you can take the time to join other chapter members by attending the
parade or attending another event to honor our service and the service of all that
served. It is an honor to be among all of you and I am proud to salute your service.
John Lavelle, chapter secretary.