VIETNAM

The Spirit of 776 July 2017 VETERANS OF

AMERICA
CHAPTER 776

Meeting at Bettendorf Public Library Never Again Will

One Generation of
August 23 at 1900 hours 7:00 P.M. Veterans Abandon
Another.
Volume 21 Issue 7

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
The Wall That Heals
When the Wall That Heals was in the Quad
Honor Guard Cities through the efforts of our local PBS
John Lavelle
563 355-4213
station it was a time to reflect and also a time to
share with our families what the war meant to
Web Master us. Thank you to Western Illinois Quad Cities
Roger Granbois
roger@granbois.net and to PBS.

Officers and Board of Directors

President Ed Guadet 563 659-5421 Dir. Ernest Ledjte 563 785-6182
Vice-President Bruce Cheek 563 349-4129 Dir. Sonny Kempf 563 505-1906
Treasurer Harold Hansen 563 505-9674 Dir. Bill Matthews 563 355-5618
Secretary John Lavelle 563 355-4213 Dir. Steve Satre 563 289-1776
Trustee Greg Paulline 563 650-3055 Dir. Larry Witt 563 388-7179
 Minutes for membership meeting for July 2017 - Bettendorf library

Meeting was called to order at 1900 hrs. 26 July 17 by President Ed

Guadet. We thank Chick-fil-A for our supper at this meeting. The Pledge
of Allegiance was recited and a moment of silence was observed for
POW/MIA. Everyone introduced themselves and signed an attendance
sheet. New members Tom Wilson, Dan Nicholson, and Bill Howe
introduced themselves detailing where they served.
The secretaries report as published by John Lavelle chapter secretary
was approved. Harold Hansen detailed the treasurer's report. Greg
Paulline went over the proposed budget line by line detailing both
anticipated income and expenses . Trivia night will be replaced by rock
'n' roll bingo November 18at American legion post 26. Income of $6000
is budgeted from Vettes on the River August 27. The budget presented
anticipates $690 less income than expenses. Expenses for the newsletter
are eliminated; the newsletter will no longer be mailed but will be
available via email and online at our website VVA776.org. A motion was
made to add wreaths across America for $375. Motion carried. A motion
to accept the budget was passed. Members in distress included Ed
Gaudet. Correspondence was received from the two O'Neils thanking for
their scholarships.
Denny Quell, Jay Schweer, Tim Nations, Joe Westenberg, and Ed
Hildebrand presented coin stories. A sheet was passed for volunteers to
man a table at the Wall that Heals. Bruce Cheek discussed the August 19
Cruise In and passed a sheet for volunteers. Membership chairman Larry
Witt stated we have 41 individual members, 162 lifetime members and 24
associates for a total of 227. John Lavelle detailed the activities of the
Honor Guard and stated that we are always looking for more Honor
Guard members. 50th commemorative Chairman Lyle Peterson thanked
those that participated in our commemorations and stated "we are
through".
Ed Hildebrand reported August 6 will be free for Veterans at the
Mississippi Valley fair. Ed also reported on a successful VA hospital visit
in Iowa city. Clovers chairman Greg Paulline detailed our most successful
clover weekend ever. Thanks to everyone.
New products for PX were discussed.

Steve Satre for chapter secretary John Lavelle

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The Wall That Heals

At Western Illinois Qaud Cities
 Challenge Coin Rules
1. Rules of the coin must be given or explained to all new coin holders.
2. The coin MUST be carried at all times. You can be challenged for it anywhere, at any
time. You must produce the coin without taking more than four (4) steps to produce it.
3. When challenging the challenger must state whether it is for a single drink or a round
of drinks.
4. Failure to produce a coin, for whatever reason, results in a bought round or a single
drink (whatever the challenger stated). This type of transaction can be expensive, so
hold on to your coin. Once the offender (coinless challenged) has bought the drink or
round, they cant be challenged again.
5. If all that are challenged produce their coin, the challenger loses and must buy the
drinks for all respondents. This too can be expensive, so challenge wisely.
6. Under no circumstances can a coin be handed to another in response to a challenge. If
a person gives their coin to another person, that person can now keep the coin it is
theirs!!! However, if a person places the coin down and anther person picks it up to
examine it, that is not considered giving and the examiner is honor-bound to place the
coin back where they got it. The examiner cant challenge while they hold anothers
coin. After negotiating a reasonable ransom, the examiner must return the
members coin.
7. If a coin is lost, replacement is up to the individual. A new coin should be acquired at
the earliest opportunity losing a coin and not replacing it does not relieve a person
of his or her responsibilities. This is especially true if your fellow Comrade know that
you traditionally carry a coin.
8. There are no exceptions to the rules. They apply to clothed or unclothed. Four steps
and an arms reach are allowed.
9. A coin is a coin, They are not a belt buckle, key chain or necklace. Coins worn in a
holder around the neck are valid.
10.The coin should be controlled at all times. Giving a coin to just anyone is like opening
a fraternity to just anyone. It is an honor to be given a coin, lets keep it that way. A
given or awarded coin is more personal than a purchased coin.
11. The above rules apply to anyone who is worthy to be given/awarded a coin, has
purchased a coin, or who is known to be a previous coin holder.