The Spirit of ‘776 VIETNAM VETERANS

November 2018 OF AMERICA

CHAPTER 776

“Never Again Will One

Meeting at Bettendorf Library Generation of Veterans
Abandon Another.”
November 28 at 7:00 P.M.
Volume 22 Issue 11

Veteran
Service Officers
&
Service
Coordinators
Clarke Barnes
309 944-3674
Ed Gaudet
563 343-9456
Ben Enlow
563 326-8723
Ernest Ledjte
563 785-6182
Tom Lemon
563 359-3201
Greg Paulline
563-650-3055
Jack Rhinehart
641-745-9097

Honor Guard
John Lavelle
563-355-4213
Denny Queal
563 340-9194
VVA National Achievement Award
Web Master
Roger Granbois Congratulations John Lavelle!!
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
 October 25, 2018 Minutes
VVA Chapt. 776
Call to Order – Meeting called to order at 7pm by President Ed Gaudet. Officers present, 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.
Secretary Report – Motion made Greg Paulline, seconded by Sonny Kempf to accept minutes as
published in newsletter. Carried
Treasurer Report – Financial report given. Proceeds from Clinton Clover are $2687.70.
John Lavelle – John is a founding member of VVA 776. He has held every officer position of the
chapter. Greg Paulline presented John with the VVA National Achievement Award. Congratulations
John!
Members in Distress – Larry Witt is recuperating from a bad fall and is unable to work. Motion
made by Dave Thode, seconded by Greg Paulline to give $250 to Larry. Carried. Tim Nations is
improving.
State VVA President Report – Greg Paulline reported on National VVA Presidents meeting. Blue
Water Navy bill has passed congress, needs to pass senate vote. As of October 20 All VVA mem-
berships will be changed to life member with dues at $50.
Correspondence – Thank You from NAMI and Department of Veterans Affairs Minneapolis, Fisher
House for donations. National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. Veterans Appreciation Tailgate at
Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City.
Coin Stories – Stories told by Stan Stansfield, Lyle Petersen and Dave Thode.
Membership – Greg Paulline reported a total of 240 members.
Honor Guard – The Honor Guard attended 6 funerals in the last month. They also had one color
flag presentation. The VA clinic will be moving from current office in Bettendorf to new location in
Davenport in January. The clinic would like to have the color guard present at opening ceremonies.
New Business a) Christmas Party – A reservation was made by Al Thede, December 6 at Elks
Club. The chapter would need to provide the food. Further discussion resulted to cancel reservation
at Elks Club and have party at legion. Ed Gaudet will assist Bill Churchill in planning the Christ-
mas Party. Potentially December 5th or 6th. b) Jim Perry gave update on getting email address for
chapter members. c) Bill Churchill has a few PX items present for sale. d) Next hospital visit will
be December 10. Meet 8AM at Northwest Blvd. McDonalds. e) Muscatine Clover Sales – Is there
an interest in doing this? Potential date is November 16. Greg Paulline will organize. f) Greg
Paulline reports a survey is being done to see how well Veteran Centers are doing in assisting vet-
erans. g) Darrell Thode reports 25 food baskets will be available thru the HyVee on Rockingham
Rd. Deadline for applying for a food basket is November 12. Food baskets will be delivered No-
vember 16. VVA 299 will not be doing food baskets this year. The Veterans Outreach center is ac-
cepting turkey donations. h) Welcome Home Dance is November 9 at Jumers Casino. i) Modern
Woodmen will match up to $2500 for Rock n Roll Bingo.
Adjourn – Meeting adjourned at 8:07pm
Dear Ed,
Thank you for your generous donation of $250.00. Every dollar counts and we appreciate your contribution to
our cause.
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