Vol.

18 Issue 9

THE SPIRIT OF 776

SEPTEMBER 2015 NEWSLETTER
VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA CHAPTER 776
Next Meeting September 23, 2015 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
Web Master
Roger Granbois
roger@granbois.net

President Greg Paulline

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

6th Annual Seabee

Spaghetti Dinner
September 19th
American Legion
Post 26, Doors Open at
4:30 P.M. Eat 6:00 P.M.

Cost $10 per person.

Door Prizes Galore!
50/50 Raffle
Silent Auction
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 August Membership Meeting

The meeting was called to order by President Paulline at 1900 hours. Officers present, Vice-president
Bruce Cheek, 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 July
meeting were accepted as posted in the newsletter. Larry Witt informed the group that our current
membership is 78 Individual, 104 Life, and 25 AVVA. Larry also spoke of the VVA Fire Sale
Membership Drive, $100 for a life membership which started in August. Harold Hansen informed the
chapter on our current financial status. We learned of members in distress to include Steve Bredar
who is home still recuperating and we were pleased to see Richard Hawk Hawkins at the meeting.
We heard coin stories from Mike Martin, Sonny Kempf, Jett Bork, Bruce Cheek, Lyle Peterson, Ed
Gaudet, and Don Mackey. Each of these stories adds to our legacy and poignantly welcomes these
veterans home. Greg Paulline asked the chapter to vote on whether we should unite with Ch. 299 and
699 in an ad campaign to increase membership by having a VVA PSA shown on Mediacom, the
motions passed. We will partner with Ch 299 for this years dance. Trivia Committee met and set
October 23rd as Spooktacular Trivia night at Post 26, doors open at 6:00 P.M. it will include a silent
auction and costume contest. Larry is hoping for a large number of pre-sale tickets this year. The
finance committee did not meet this past month, but a discussion was held concerning a memorial
bench for Terry Berg to be placed at the All-Vets Memorial in Davenport Memorial Park, the chapter
voted to pay for engraving on the bench to honor Terrys memory. A committee was formed to
determine future options in dealing with memorial gifts donated to the chapter, Ed Gaudet, Sonny
Kempf, Mike and Linda Martin, and Steve Satre will serve on that committee. The community service
committee requested $250 to purchase hats for the Iowa City VA Hospital visits, the motion passed.
Next VA Hospital Visit is 9/15/15 meet at McDonalds on Northwest Blvd at 7:30 a.m. The Seabee
Spaghetti Dinner is September 19 at Post 26, CCW and range time will be one of this years prizes.
The dinner is $10 a person and there will be many other door prizes available and a 50/50 raffle. Ed
Hildebrand will coordinate the Stand Down Luncheon this year. The Quad City Times will be
interviewing local Vietnam Veterans for their series focusing on the 50th Commemoration of the War
in Vietnam. Meeting was adjourned. Minutes submitted by John P. Lavelle, chapter secretary.

VVA Life Membership $100

Contact Larry Witt wittlarry@rocketmail.com

Provide a copy of your DD 214

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

Third Annual Spooktacular Trivia Night

Friday October 23rd

at American Legion Post 26
Doors open at 6:00 P.M.

Trivia Master: Larry Witt

8 person tables, $10 per person
Contacts: Larry Witt & David Woods
We would like lots of pre-sales on the tables