Vol.

18 Issue 5

THE SPIRIT OF 776

M AY 2 0 1 5 N E W S L E T T E R
VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA CHAPTER 776
Next Meeting May 27, 2015 at the
DUCK CREEK PARK SHELTER IN DAVENPORT

6:00 P.M. - 1800 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
Web Master
Roger Granbois
roger@granbois.net

MAY MEETING WILL BE HELD

AT DUCK CREEK PARK IN
DAVENPORT, 6:00 PM. THIS IS
OUR CHAPTER AWARDS
NIGHT GATHERING AND
CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIPS
ARE AWARDED. PLEASE PLAN
ON BRINGING A DISH TO PASS
MEAT & BEVERAGE WILL BE
PROVIDED. WE WILL NEED,
POTATOES, BEANS, SALADS,
AND DESSERTS.
WE WILL USE ONE OF THE
PICNIC PAVILIONS. DRIVE IN
TO DUCK CREEK PAST THE
GOLF COURSE.
Officers and Board of Directors

President Greg Paulline

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

563 650-3055
563 349-4129
563 505-9674
563 355-4213
563 386-1286

Dir. David Woods

Dir. Ed Gaudet
Dir. Bill Matthews
Dir. Steve Satre
Dir. Larry Witt

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

Minutes of April Membership Meeting

The meeting was called to order by President Paulline at 1900 hours. Officers present, Vice-president
Lyle Peterson, Secretary, John Lavelle, Treasurer Harold Hansen. The members recited the pledge of
allegiance and observed a moment of silence for POW/MIA and also for those still serving in harms
way. A sheet was passed for members to sign and add their email address. The minutes from the
March meeting were accepted as posted in the newsletter. Larry Witt informed the group that our
current membership is now at 202. Harold Hansen informed the chapter on our current financial
status. We discussed members in distress which included Robert Konrardy, Mike Martin, Dave Happ,
and Denny Grey had his 31 stent, Harold Hansen will be having surgery at the Ft. Snelling VA in
Minneapolis, the chapter will keep them in our thoughts and prayers. Martha Lavelle conducted the
election procedures. Bruce Cheek is the newest member of the chapter officers and will serve as the
Vice-President. Lyle Peterson was appointed as a chapter trustee by President Paulline, all other
officers and directors remained the same. Honor guard took part in a number of funerals during the
months of April. Ed Hildebrand announced the next Iowa City VA Hospital visit for June 15th as
usual meet at the McDonalds on Northwest Boulevard. We will be having a Vietnam Veterans 50th
Commemoration at the QC River Bandits Game on May 28th, Lyle Peterson will have tickets to the
game and the honor guard will participate in the colors presentation before the game. In June the
chapter will have the orange clover sales, Greg Paulline will have a sign up at the next meeting. At the
May meeting Aubrey Peterson, Michael Guadet, and John Stammeyer will receive this years chapter
scholarships. The chapter wrote a check to Jasons Box for their annual Red, White, and Blue golf
outing. The chapter will pay $1000 for our VSO and VSCs to earn their yearly continuing education
units for certification. A check for $200 was given to Greg Paulline for the Region 6 meeting. The
chapter wrote a check for a quarterly donation to Papas for $500. The chapter donated $500 to the
Marine Corps League to assist with the Eyes of Lima Traveling Memorial. Ed Hildebrand will man an
information table at the QC Airshow June Orange Clover sales will take place from 6/26 until 6/28, a
sign up sheet will be passed around at the May meeting. Judy Ward read an essay to the members that
was written by her granddaughter from Durant and is now entered in a state wide contest stating
what the flag means to her. Envelope stuffing will take place at Wise Guys Pizza on 4/28 at 6:00 P.M.
for the car show. SAU will have a medal ceremony for graduates on 5/4/15 at 4 P.M. Marine Corps
League will have an SOS dinner at the Gold Leaf on 5/16 beginning at 5:30. The Chapter dinner will
be at Rivals Sports Bar & Grill 5/19 at 1800 hours. VVA State Council will meet on Saturday, June
13. The next chapter meeting is at Duck Creek Park in Davenport, it will be a cookout and will begin
at 6:00 P.M. The meeting was adjourned. Minutes submitted by John P. Lavelle, chapter secretary.

AUSA 50TH VIETNAM WAR

COMMEMORATION
Bandits Baseball
May 28th
Tickets for the game will be available at the next chapter meeting.

Leisure Time Billiards

& Sports Bar
845 Avenue of the Cities
East Moline , IL
Full Kitchen
2 Sports Bars
8 Dart Boards & 13 pool Tables

2667 5th St. Rock Island, IL

PLEASE BRING
YOUR PLEDGE
CARDS TO THE
NEXT MEETING
WE WILL ALSO
LOOK FOR
THEM IN THE
MAIL IF YOU
USE: P.O. BOX 91
Support Chapter 776 our #567

B E T T E N D O R F,
IOWA 52722