AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2011 NEWSLETTER
| VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA, INC. P.O. BOX 6608 TEXARKANA, TX 75505-6608 www.vva278.org
OFFICERS JOIN VVA and AVVA |
| VVA # 278's NEXT MEETING |
| VVA # 278's next meeting will be Sunday, August 28, 2011 at the American Legion Post at 525 East Broad Street. This is VVA # 278's 25th birthday party! Note: This is the 4th Sunday this month. Remember we changed due to the VVA National Convention. The meal will begin at 1:30 pm and will be a pizza party. I will bring soft drinks. We ask members to bring sides and/or a dessert to share. The business session will begin immediately after the meal is finished. Topics to be discussed will include: Veterans' issues updates; Committee Reports; Report on the VVA National Convention; Legislative news; Fundraising ideas; September 11th observance at Texas A&M; planning for the 24th Annual POW/MIA Vigil; Upcoming events; etc., etc. We ask everyone to bring some non-perishable items for the "Hero's Pantry." Note: The "Hero's Pantry" is no longer operated out of the VA Clinic, it has moved to Trinity Presbyterian Church. Being that it's our 25th anniversary, we will have some special deals on chapter t-shirts (in sizes that are available) and VVA hats.
Remember: Sunday, August 28 at 1:30 pm at the American Legion Post at 525 East Broad Street. We hope to see you there! This is your chapter, take part in it! Bring your ideas on what you would like to see your chapter doing! The August meeting will be held Sunday, August 28 at 1:30 pm at the American Legion Post at 525 East Broad Street. Note - We moved the August meeting to the 4th Sunday due to the VVA National Convention being the 3rd Sunday. This will be VVA # 278's 25th Anniversary observance - we were chartered August 29, 1986. Congratulations 278!! Remember: There is no meeting in September! |
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| VVA # 278's OCTOBER MEETING |
| VVA # 278 will meet Sunday, October 16, 2011 at 1:30 pm at the American Legion Post at 525 East Broad Street. This will be a pot luck dinner. We ask all members to bring a covered dish and/or dessert to share. The business session will begin right after the meal. Topics to be discussed will include: Veteran's issues updates; Report on National Convention; Committee Reports; Legislative news; Fundraising ideas; Upcoming events; etc., etc. We ask everyone to bring items for the Hero's Pantry!
Remember: Sunday, October 16 at 1:30 pm at the American Legion Post. We hope to see you there! This is your chapter, be part of it! Together then - Together Now! |
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| 2011 FUNDRAISING PROJECT FOR VVA # 278 |
| VVA # 278's major fundraising project for 2011 will consist of a raffle for a Smith & Wesson MP 15 in .223 caliber. This is an M-16 type rifle. It will come with six 30 round magazines and a hard case. Second place drawing will be a handmade patriotic quilt. Tickets are $2.00 each; 3 for $5.00; & 7 for $10.00. Drawing will be at the 2011 Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 12, 2011. Tickets are available now! We are also still selling the Arkansas and Texas POW/MIA t-shirts which list those unaccounted for from each state ($20 each). We also have some chapter t-shirts (blue & gray) for $10 each. We also have some patches, P38s, bumper stickers, and hats. |
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| VVA # 278's 25th ANNIVERSARY & 25 YEARS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| *We took over from original Korea/Vietnam Memorial Committee and raised the funds, re-designed, built, and dedicated the Four States Area Korea/Vietnam Memorial on November 12, 1988.
*278 was one of the forming chapters of the VVA Texas State Council. *We have staged 23 (going on 24) POW/MIA Vigils and 16 (soon to be 17) "Rides to Remember" to remember & honor our POW/MIA's. *We have hosted 28 Memorial Day Services at the Korea/Vietnam Memorial site. *We established, with Ken Allen, a PTSD counseling group, which is still in operation today. *We established a scholarship program. We have awarded over $12,000 in scholarships to Vietnam veterans & their families. *We originated the idea for the Texarkana Area Veterans Council, which is doing great. *We co-hosted, with East Funeral Home, the SCI Moving Wall, twice. *We planned, built, and dedicated the local Police Officers Memorial at the site of the Korea/Vietnam Memorial. *We participated in the services for the remains of seven local POW/MIA's, Wayland Bennett, James Rex Lindsey, William C. Dunlap, John Frederick Barr, Charlie Poole, James W. Lewis, and Robert W. Jones. *We helped get the local Marine Corps League detachment started and we donated POW/MIA flags to it, the local Korean War Veterans Association, the Banshee's MC, and the local VA Clinic. *We have raised funds for and donated funds to many local charitable agencies, i.e., Red Cross, Watersprings Ranch, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, USMCR Toys for Tots, Battered Women's Shelter, Make a Wish, Texarkana Area Veterans Council, American Legion, Randy Sam's Homeless Shelter, Special Olympics, etc., etc. *We have presented POW/MIA bracelets to several celebrities while onstage: Charlie Daniels (POW/MIA flag also), Lorrie Morgan, Moe Bandy, Joe Stampley, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Representative Chapman, Representative Anthony, Representative Max Sandlin, Jerry Reed, Neal McCoy, and others. |
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| VIETNAM MEMORABILIA DISPLAY |
| VVA # 278 has developed a pretty extensive display of Vietnam War memorabilia to display at schools, colleges, veterans functions and services, and other related venues. We have acquired helmets, flak jackets, bayonets, c-rations (yum-yum), rubber M-16, M-60 & AK47, inert hand grenades, inert M-72 LAW (anti-tank weapon), poncho, training guides, tank periscope, inert training Claymore mine & equipment, canteens, first aid kits, linked 50 caliper cartridges, linked M 60 cartridges, boot camp graduation books (Marines, Army, Navy), various equipment, jungle boots, Ho Chi Minh sandals, North Vietnamese medals and flag, American medals, M-16 cleaning equipment and bipod, gas mask, bandoleers, etc., etc.
This is a work in progress. We are looking for a PRC 25 radio, M79 Blooper, helicopter flight helmet, inert 105 rounds, 40 mm rounds, 106 recoilless rifle rounds, 81 mm & 60 mm mortar rounds, and other Vietnam era material. One requirement is that it is cheap! Two is that it is inert (non-firing and non-explosive). We also have personal gear to go along with this - uniforms, pictures, equipment, books, etc. This is all available for the right venues. Just ask and we'll let you know! This is a good educational display which we will man with Vietnam veterans and other knowledgeable personnel. |
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| VVA #278 MEMBERSHIP |
| As July 30, 2011 Vietnam Veterans of America # 278 has 104 VVA members; (70 Life members, 31 annual and/or three year members, 2 Incarcerated members), and 26 AVVA members, with 15 Life members and 11 annual and/or three year members. We would like to extend a hearty welcome to our newest members to our VVA # 278 family. He is: Tom McKinney. WELCOME ABOARD & WELCOME HOME!!
We have 10 members who are delinquent. They are Dan Bookout, Herb Davison, Boyce Freeman, James Mason, Michael Pearson, Wendell Puckett, Terry Strong, John Webb, Grace Smith and Dona Millward. We really want you to remain in the VVA # 278 family. I'm sorry to say that one of our active members - George Wisdom passed away July 2, 2011. We will miss him! If you have a red dot on your address label this may be your last issue of this newsletter. We try to keep as many as possible informed but with printing and postage going up we have to cut back to those who we know where they are and those who we know are concerned. Join or rejoin VVA 278 and keep getting this newsletter, plus the Texas State VVA newsletter and the "Veteran" from National VVA. A reminder: To become a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc, you do not have to have served in-country Vietnam. You just have to have served in the United States military (for other than training purposes) between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975. If you served in-country: between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975. Also, VVA has a program whereas the dues of a permanently hospitalized Vietnam era veteran is waived. If you know of a Vietnam era veteran in these circumstances that would like to become a member of VVA let us know. We need a copy of his or her DD 214 and a letter from the Doctor or Director or the VA stating the veteran is permanently confined to a hospital and/or nursing home. We want you, we need you!! Together then, together now!! Help us help veterans!!! Join VVA & AVVA. |
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| PRISONERS OF WAR/MISSING IN ACTION - POW/MIA |
| As of July 31, 2011, according to the National League of Families and the DoD, there are still 1687 Americans unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. Of these 1,687 , 1,296 in Vietnam (North-476; South-820), 328 in Laos, 58 in Cambodia, and 7 in China. These numbers have changed again due to investigations resulting in changed location of loss. Of this 1,687, 18 from Arkansas, 24 from Louisiana, 34 from Oklahoma, and 107 from Texas. 542 are Air Force, 536 are Army, 212 are Marines, 367 are Navy and 32 are civilians. Over 450 of these are considered losses over sea. Since the end of the war (1975) there have been 894 Americans accounted for from the Vietnam War, and another 63 before 1975. Sadly, none were returned alive after the fall of Saigon.
There are 3,347 Americans unaccounted for from World War I (two more sets of remains have recently been identified). There are now 73,792 Americans unaccounted for from World War II. There are now 7,990 Americans unaccounted for from the Korean War (108 from Arkansas; 151 from Louisiana; 152 from Oklahoma; and 451 from Texas). There are 125 Americans unaccounted for from the Cold War. There is one American, Ahmed Altaie, unaccounted for from Operation Iraqi Freedom, and one American, Bowe Berghal, unaccounted for from Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. We will never forget!! Remember them!! WE WILL NEVER FORGET!! |
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| 24th ANNUAL POW/MIA VIGIL & 14TH ANNUAL "RIDE TO REMEMBER" |
| On Friday and Saturday, September 2 & 3, 2011, VVA # 278 will host our 24th Annual POW/MIA Vigil at the Korea/Vietnam Memorial at 7th St. & State Line Avenue. As part of this Vigil we will also host our 14th Annual "Ride to Remember" beginning at the Arkansas Information Center on Hwy 71 North and ending at the Korea/Vietnam Memorial. We will spend one minute for each American unaccounted for from the Vietnam War (1,687), one minute for each American unaccounted for from the Korean War and whose names is engraved upon this Memorial (37), and one minute for each American unaccounted for from the ongoing war in Iraq and Afghanistan (2), for a total of 1724 minutes, or 28 hours and 44 minutes. For the first 1,449 minutes (86,945 seconds) we will observe one second for each American from the 20th & 21st century that are unaccounted for - 3,347 from World War I, 73,792 from World War II, 7,990 from the Korean War, 1687 from the Vietnam War, 127 from the Cold War, and 1 each from Iraq & Afghanistan.
We do this for three reasons: To inform the public to the plight of the American Prisoner of War and those Americans Missing in Action, and to make sure our elected officials know we will never forget them! To Honor and Remember the American Prisoners of War and Missing in Action from all wars, both those who are unaccounted for and those who returned! To let the families of these Americans know they are not alone, we as brothers and sisters miss them, too. We will never forget! Please see attached flyer for times of services and "Ride to Remember" Note: Opening ceremonies may change due to change in numbers |
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| BUY AMERICAN |
| It has been stated that if you spend just $3.33 more a year on American made products you would help create 10,000 more jobs in the USA. So let's all set us a goal - To buy American whenever we can, even if it means paying a little more. Will this hurt Wal-Mart? Maybe so but I bet they will get the idea and go back to Sam's idea of putting America back to work. The Walton kids are just greedy! Also do you know that if everyone slowed down to just the speed limit, millions of gallons of gas a day would be saved? So be an All American - Buy American and drive for America, if it says 65 drive 65 not 70 or 75. 60 would be better but that's probably asking too much. Drive to conserve! Let's get out of this dependence on other nations, nations that hope we fail & fall, and get ourselves out of this mess. It doesn't look like our elected officials in Washington are going to help us any, they are too damned partisan! We can do this if everyone sacrifices just a little bit! Slow down, combine trips, buy American, conserve and recycle. Quit wasting precious materials. We can save America, the troops are doing their part, it's time for the rest of us to kick in and do our part. If nothing else do it for your kids and grandkids! Texarkana, Arkansas has a recycling drop-off point at 3rd & Hazel Street on the second Saturday of each month from 8:00 am until 1:00 pm. Paper, plastic, tin cans, electronics are accepted with certain regulations. Free! |
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| TEXARKANA AREA VETERANS COUNCIL (TAVC) |
| The August meeting will be held Thursday, August 4 at 6:00 pm. The September meeting will be held September 1. Remember: The Texarkana Area Veterans Council meets the 1st Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm at the American Legion Post at 525 East Broad St.
VVA # 278's delegates and alternates are: Billy Walker, Fisher Plymale, Ann Walker, Donna Carmeli, and Greg Bischoff. The annual Veteran's Day Parade is scheduled for Saturday, November 12, 2011. To schedule a ride on one of the vans call the following numbers: To ride the van to Shreveport call: 1-800-863-7441 Ext 7025. To get a ride on the local van call 318-286-6735. Help us help veterans! |
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| FOR SALE |
| We have a member with the following for sale: >2006 17' Express Alum. Boat with Alum frame trailer, 2005 Mercury 2 stroke - 60 HP, live wells, steering wheel - $6500; >2011 Travel trailer, 1 slide out, 5th wheel, used twice - $25,900; >2008 Ford F250 Diesel 6.4, automatic, 25,000 miles - $32,000. Call Kay Willis at 870-653-4577. |
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| 10th ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 |
| Texarkana, TX. July 1, 2011 - This year marks the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Several local organizations have joined together to begin work on providing to the community a commemorative 9/11 service memorializing those lost, and recognizing 9/11 families, police, firemen, and local veterans and military personnel. In addition, the Students for Soldiers Charity Golf Tournament - benefiting the Wounded Warriors Project, will be held on Saturday, September 10 at Northridge Country Club. The sponsoring organizations for the memorial service are: Red River Army Depot, Cities of Texarkana, Arkansas & Texas, Texarkana USA Chamber of Commerce, Texarkana Public School Districts, the Texarkana Area Veterans Council, Texarkana College, and Texas A&M University of Texarkana.
The memorial service will be held on Friday, September 9 at 10:30 am at the Texas A&M University-Texarkana Bringle lake campus, located at 7101 University Ave. The event will be held outdoors. The program will feature the marching bands from Texas High and Arkansas High, the Liberty Eylau High School Choir, and a special presentation by Pleasant Grove Elementary School students. Local Police and Fire department agencies, area veterans, as well as personnel and equipment from Red River Army Depot and other military branches will be present. We invite the entire Texarkana community and surrounding area to attend and pay tribute to those who lost their lives on 9/11 and to the men and women who have protected us throughout the years. Following the service, the sponsors will be providing a luncheon on the lawn. All are welcome to stay for the luncheon. Everything is being provided at no cost. Any local businesses or citizens who would like to contribute to the success of the 9/11 Memorial and/or the Wounded Warrior Golf Tournament or would like more information, are encourage to contact Dr. Kent Kelso at: kent.kelso@tamut.edu or call 903-223-3065. Log on to http://tamut.edu/9-11 for additional information. |
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| CALENDAR OF EVENTS
August 4: TAVC meeting August 11-13: Hope Watermelon Festival August 15-20: VVA National Convention August 18-20: New Boston Pioneer Days August 28: VVA #278 meeting August 29: VVA #278's 25th Anniversary September 1: TAVC meeting September 2: Victory in Japan Day September 2 & 3: 24th Annual POW/MIA Vigil September 9: 9/11 Day at Texas A & M Day September 11: Patriot Day/Constitution Day September 16: National POW/MIA Recognition Day September 16-25: Four States Fair & Rodeo September 18: Air Force Birthday September 25: Gold Star Mother's Day October 1: OktoberFest/DeKalb October 7: TAVC meeting October 13 : Navy Birthday October 16: VVA #278 meeting November 5: Cullen Baker Days/Bloomburg November 8: Election Day November 10: Marine Corps Birthday November 11: Veterans Day/Gazette's "Salute to Veterans" November 12: Veterans Day Parade November 20 : VVA #278 meeting November 24: Thanksgiving Day December 7: Pearl Harbor Day December 18: VVA #278 meeting December 25: Christmas January 5, 2012: TAVC meeting January 15, 2012...VVA # 278 meeting: VVA #278 meeting |
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| JOIN VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA (VVA) & ASSOCIATES OF VVA All veterans should belong to at least one veterans organization!! |