The Spirit of ‘776 VIETNAM

March 2018 VETERANS

OF AMERICA


CHAPTER 776
Meeting at Bettendorf Public Library “Never Again Will
One Generation of
March 28 at 1900 hours 7:00 P.M. Veterans Abandon
Another.”

Veteran
I have recently been diagnosed with arthritis in
Service Officers my neck. I had an MRI that clearly showed long
& spikes going into my spinal column. It is quite
Service painful. I have had one injection of steroids that
Coordinators helped for about two months. When it wore off
it was worse than it was the first time. At the
Clarke Barnes present time, my chin has dropped to my chest
309 944-3674 and I cannot turn or lift my head. For a couple
Ed Gaudet of years my wife and I would do this newsletter
563 343-9456 and mail it to the members. After her passing I
decided to put it out as an email. I am asking
David Woods one of the members to step up and continue
563 326-8723 with the newsletter and serve as the chapter
Ernest Ledjte secretary. After Martha passed on I have been
563 785-6182 trying to focus on those two things but it is not
something that I can do much longer. If you
Tom Lemon think you can do one of these services for out
563 359-3201 chapter please consider stepping up at the next
meeting. It has truly been a pleasure to provide
Honor Guard this service to my veteran brothers for all of
this time.
Denny Queal
563 340-9194 Thank you, John Lavelle

Web Master
Chris Grillot will be doing the newsletter.
Roger Granbois Contact information 563-210-2104
roger@granbois.net Email cegrillo@fbcom.net
Officers and Board of Directors
President Ed Guadet 563 659-5421 Dir. Ernest Ledjte 563 785-6182
Vice-President Bruce Cheek563 349-4129 Dir. Sonny Kempf 563 505-1609
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
 February Members Meeting Minutes

Call to Order – Meeting called to order at 7pm. Officers present, Vice-President Bruce
Cheek and Treasurer Harold Hansen. Chris Grillot appointed to take minutes. Pledge of
Allegiance said and moment of silence for POW/MIA and those still serving in harms way
across the globe.
Secretary Report – Motion made by Larry Witt seconded by Lyle Petersen to accept
minutes as printed in newsletter. Carried Treasurer Report – balances given. Finance
Report – None.
Members in Distress – Mike Bunce deceased. Members who had surgery are Fred Miller,
Clark Barnes and Ed Gaudet. John Bishop is not doing well. He is at Manor Care, Utica
Ridge, and would like visitors. No Correspondence or coin stories.
Membership – Report given by Larry Witt. Membership is 2 new members, 30 regular VVA
members, 197 life VVA members and 30AVVA members.
Scholarship – No applications received as of yet. Deadline is March 31.
Honor Guard – Report given by Jett Bork. John Lavelle is stepping down as Honor Guard
Captain. Denny Queal will be the new Honor Guard Captain. Anyone interested in
participating on the Honor Guard, contact Jett, Denny or other honor guard member.
Old Business – 2018 Vets on the River proceeds will go to Honor Flight.
New Business Lyle Petersen reported March 29 is Vietnam Veterans Day. Any ideas to
recognize the day? Jett will check with Rock Island Arsenal. Possibility of dinner at
restaurant.
50th Commemoration – Information from Greg Pauline regarding Surviving Spouse pin/
certificate. Possibility of presenting to surviving spouse at May picnic. Motion made by Joe
Wesenberg, seconded by Jett Bork to order Deceased Vietnam Veteran’s Surviving
Spouse pin/certificate. Carried.
Lyle Petersen who volunteers at the USO on the Rock Island Arsenal reports low on
supplies and requested a $100 donation. Motion made by Lyle Petersen, seconded by
Larry Witt to donate $100 to the USO on the Rock Island Arsenal. Carried.
New Meeting Place – Need new meeting place for BOD meeting. Possible new place for
membership meeting. Tabled till next meeting.
Honor Flight – Dave Woods reports first Honor Flight for 2018 will be April 26. There will be
three additional flights for 2018. Dave Woods announce he will be retiring as VSO for Scott
County mid-September 2018.
Rod & Custom Show – Veterans Car Club of the Quad Cities had a booth at the show.
2018 Cruise in dates given.
QC Veterans Outreach Center – The Outreach center has moved to West Locust Street.
Grand Opening will be March 24 at 0930. Senator Joni Ernst will be attending the grand
opening. Help carrying out food will be appreciated.
Hospital Visit – Ed Hildebrand reported the next visit will be April 16. Meet 8am at
McDonalds on Northwest Blvd. Ed reports hats are needed. Need approximately 30/army
and 10/other branches costing $260 - $270. This will need to be presented to Board of
Directors for approval.
Veterans Day Parade – Tom Simmons and Ed Hildebrand will organize the Veterans Day
Parade on November 12.
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