The Spirit of ‘776 VIETNAM VETERANS

October 2018 OF AMERICA

CHAPTER 776

“Never Again Will One

Meeting at Bettendorf Library Generation of Veterans
Abandon Another.”
October 24 at 7:00 P.M.
Volume 22 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
Greg Paulline
563-650-3055

Honor Guard
John Lavelle
563-355-4213
Denny Queal
563 340-9194

Web Master
Roger Granbois
roger@granbois.net

Officers and Board of Directors

President Ed Gaudet 563 659-5421 Dir. Ernest Ledjte 563-785-6182
Vice President Bruce Cheek 563 349-4129 Dir. Sonny Kempf 563-505-1609
Treasurer Harold Hansen 563 505-9674 Dir. Bill Mathews 563-355-5618
Secretary Ed Grillot 563-210-5355 Dir. Steve Satre 563-289-1776
Trustee Greg Paulline 563 650-3055 Dir. Larry Witt 563-579-6521
 September 26, 2018 Minutes
VVA Chapt. 776
Call to Order – Meeting called to order at 7pm by Greg Paulline at the request of President Gaudet.
Officers present, Vice-President Bruce Cheek, Treasurer Harold Hansen and Secretary Ed/Chris
Grillot. Pledge of Allegiance said and moment of silence for POW/MIA and those still serving in
harm’s way across the globe.
Introductions were given. Larry Witt introduced his granddaughter Katie Petersen. Katie is a recipi-
ent of the VVA scholarship who was unable to attend the May meeting.
Secretary Report – Motion made Larry Witt, seconded by Sonny Kempf to accept minutes as pub-
lished in newsletter. Carried
Treasurer Report – Financial report given.
Members in Distress – none reported
Correspondence – Bruce Cheek reported receiving donation from Dee Runnells in Honor of John
McCain.
Coin Stories – Stories told by Darrell Thode, Sonny Kempf, Nick McQuistion and Rolhf Shave.
Finance Committee – Report by Larry Witt, the finance committee approved a donation of $500 to
Fisher House. Fisher House provides housing for veterans/families while in hospital in Minneap-
olis, MN. Motion made by Larry Witt, seconded by Ed Gaudet to approve finance committee’s de-
cision to donate $500 to Fisher House. Carried.
Membership – Larry Witt reported 210 regular/life members and 25 AVVA members. Larry has 4
new members bringing the total membership to 239 members.
Honor Guard – The Honor Guard attended 11 funerals in the last month. They also had six color
flag presentations.
Old Business a) Rock N Roll Bingo – Larry Witt reported income after expenses is $2514. Modern
Woodman will match up to $2500. b) Stand Down – Steve Satre reported Congressman Dave
Loebsack attended the stand down. Steve thanked the volunteers. c) Iowa State Council – Greg
Paulline emailed minutes to chapter members. DesMoines clover donations were $2700. Two Mod-
ern Woodman chapters donated matching funds that allowed the goal of $5000 to be reached. Re-
gion 6 information sent out.
New Business a) Clinton Clover Sales – Dates are September 28/29/2018. Sign-up sheet passed
around. The goal is $2500. b) Christmas Party – Consensus is to look into a different location for
the Christmas party. Date to be determined. c) Beacon of Hope Hospice is looking for volunteers in
their Veteran-to-Veteran Program Volunteer. d) RIA will be having an Open House October 4, 2018
3-6PM e) Spaghetti Dinner – Bruce Cheek reported the theme for this year is KIA/WIA. Speaker is
from the Sullivan Brothers Museum in Waterloo. Invited VVA members to attend spaghetti dinner.
Doors open at 4PM, start at 4:30PM. Sister of MIA soldier, whose remains have been returned, will
be attending burial in DC. f) Veterans Tailgate will be Nov. 3, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City.
g) Last Honor Flight for the year will be October 25. h) Honor Guard is in need of volunteers. If
interested contact Denny Queal or Jim Daxon. i) Welcome Home Dance will be November 9, 2018
at Jumers/Milan. Music will be provided by Coupe de Ville. VVA 776 will partner with VVA 299.
j) Next hospital visit is December 10, 2018. k) Letters from Home program will be Nov. 4, 2018;
3PM at St. Ambrose Art Center. l) October 20, Amvet/DVA will be sponsoring lunch at the Quad
Cities Veterans Outreach Center.
Adjourn – Meeting adjourned at 8:07pm