Vol.

20 Issue 4

THE SPIRIT OF 776

APRIL 2016 NEWSLETTER
VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA CHAPTER 776
Next Meeting April 27, 2016 at the
Bettendorf Public Library
7:00 P.M. - 1900 hours
N E V E R A G A I N W I L L O N E G E N E R AT I O N O F V E T E R A N S A B A N D O N A N O T H E R .

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
Honor Guard
John Lavelle
563 355-4213
johnplavelle@gmail.com

Web Master
Roger Granbois
roger@granbois.net

President Greg Paulline

Vice-President Bruce Cheek
Treasurer Harold Hansen
Secretary John Lavelle
Trustee. Lyle Peterson

VVA Chapter 776 Observes the 50th

Commemoration of the Vietnam War at
the Rock Island Arsenal National
Cemetery on April 2, 2016
Officers and Board of Directors
563 650-3055
Dir. David Woods
563 349-4129
Dir. Ed Gaudet
563 505-9674
Dir. Bill Matthews
563 355-4213
Dir. Steve Satre
563 386-1286
Dir. Larry Witt

563 326-8723
563 349-9456
563 355-5618
563 289-1776
563 388-7179

Minutes of March Membership Meeting

The meeting was called to order by President Paulline at 1900 hours. Officers present; vice
president Bruce Cheek, treasurer Harold Hansen. The members recited the Pledge of
Allegiance and observed a moment of silence for POW/MIA's and also for those still serving
in harms way. A sheet was passed for members to sign and each member stated their
attendance. The secretary's report was approved as published. Harold Hansen presented
the treasurer's report. Members in distress or hospitalized; Martha Lavelle, and Chuck
Morrell is scheduled for heart surgery.VP Cheek reported Humility of Mary thanked us for
our donation. A taco supper will be held March 29 at Viking club in Moline to raise funds
for September stand-down. The NAMIWalk $250 Kilometer walk donation was approved.
Larry Witt reported 211 total numbers. A motion to spend $3,600 to send three to a
leadership conference 21 through 24 July in Tucson, Arizona, carried. The community
service committee is open to visitation ideas other than nursing homes and assisted living
facilities. $50 for each internment is available for the honor guard from the Iowa Trust
Fund. VSOS need help in Iowa City. Contact Ed Gaudet, David Woods, or Ernest Ledjte.
Larry Witt reported seven scholarships applications, but only one is complete. Edwin
Hildebrand reported on the 50th parade May 21. It is coming together very well. The Honor
Guard will serve for the national Vietnam Veterans Day commemorative service March 26
on the Rock Island Arsenal. We will also provide three members to read names of the Quad
City area fallen veterans. A video presentation detailing the training of 19,000 black
Marines during WW II at Montfort Point, North Carolina, was held March 17 at the Figgie.
We provided food and an opportunity to join our chapter. A hepatitis C booklet was
available as a handout. Those born between 1945 and 1965 should be tested for hepatitis C.
It can be treated and the VA will pay for the test and treatment. Mark Braverman reported
the need for $15,000 per dog to train service dogs for veterans with PTSD. A $25,000
donation request was discussed but not yet referred to the finance committee, further
information will be provided. EAA's B-17 G will be available for flights and ground tours
April 29 through May 1. Tours are free for Veterans/active military. The B-17 was one of
World War II's most vital aircraft. Clover sales will be April 9 in Iowa City and June 24
through the 26 in the Quad Cities. A Vietnam Veterans' recognition ceremony will be held
on April 2nd at the Rock Island Arsenal Cemetery. Volunteers are needed to set balloons at
the grave sites of 2449 Vietnam Vets. Tuesday, April 19, at 1830 hrs. we will assist the River
Valley Car Club at Wise Guys Pizza on 53rd Ave. We will be stuffing envelopes for the 2016
car cruise July 23. An Agent Orange town hall meeting will be held April 23 in Des Moines.
Minutes submitted by Steve Satre for John P. Lavelle, chapter secretary

CONSIDER BECOMING
A LIFE MEMBER!
Contact Larry Witt for more info.

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2 Sports Bars
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Stuffing Car Cruise In

envelopes with flyers with
River Valley Car Club
Tuesday April 19th 6;30pm
at Wise Guys Pizza
Martha Ann Lavelle
January 6, 1943 - April 5, 2016
Our family truly appreciated the attendance by so
many chapter members to the visitation and the
funeral mass for my loving wife. In August, we
would have celebrated our 48th wedding
anniversary. It meant a great deal to have the
support of the chapter members through all of this.
She was a very active member of the AVVA for
many years. She referred to it as our Veterans
Club and took great pride in working on chapter
events. On her headstone I have requested the
following verse from the new testament. Well
done, good and faithful servant! She was a person
who truly lived those words. She pushed me to
follow her example in that effort. I truly hope that
I can continue in that manner. Thank you all.