Vol.

20 Issue 2

THE SPIRIT OF 776

F E B RUA RY 2 0 1 6 N E W S L E T T E R
VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA CHAPTER 776
Next Meeting February 24, 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
Web Master
Roger Granbois
roger@granbois.net

President Greg Paulline

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

Euchre or eucre is a trick-taking

c a rd g a m e m o s t c o m m o n l y
played with four people in two
partnerships with a deck of 24,
o r s o m e t i m e s 3 2 , s t a n d a rd
playing cards. It is the game
responsible for introducing the
joker into modern packs; this
was invented around 1860 to act
as a top trump or best bower. It
is believed to be closely related
to the French game cart that
was popularized in the United
States by the Cornish and
Pennsylvania Dutch, and to the
seventeenth-century game of
b a d re p u t e L o o . It m a y b e
sometimes referred to as Knock
Euchre to distinguish it from
Bid Euchre.
Proceeds to Chap 776
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

EUCHRE
TOURNAMENT
Proceeds to
VVA 776
MARCH 12TH

JFK
Elementary
(Division St.)
Davenport IA
$25 per person
Prizes:
$300
$200
$100
Call:

Lorreta
563
650-3040

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

Minutes of January 2016 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 of the
November meeting were accepted as published in the newsletter. Harold Hansen informed the
members concerning our current monetary situation. Members in distress Martha Lavelle, Ed
Hildebrand is recovering from his knee surgery, Chuck Morrell, Ed Gaudet is receiving treatments,
Greg Paulline has a new stent or two. If you know of any member who is ill or in distress please
contact the newsletter editor. Bruce Cheek read two thank you notes from veterans who received
baskets this past holiday season. He also read a request from Jasons Box requesting a donation for an
ATV. Milestones is offering a class for falling prevention contact Greg Paulline for more information.
This months coin stories are from Allen Thede presented coins to some of his veteran friends for the
West End, Bruce Cheek presented one to a new member of the SeaBees Group and invited him to
attend a meeting, Steve Satre presented two coins to his son who is retiring from the U.S. Army, and
Larry Witt presented a coin to a veteran truck driver. Larry informed the members that we are
currently at 130 Life members, 57 Individual members, and 24 AVVA members. The VVA Fire Sale is
still going on so those of you who are individual members can still upgrade to Life Membership. The
past Christmas the chapter donated 24 food baskets from HyVee to needy veterans in the Quad Cities.
Jim Owens spoke about the recent hospital visit at Christmas time, a large contingent of chapter
members helped at this last visit and were accompanied by Santa Claus (Sgt. Pepper). VSO
information came from Ed Gaudet, the new head of the VSO in the state of Iowa is Scott Fry. This
year we got a grant from VVA for VSO work in the amount of $15,000 even though the state is one of
the leaders in getting veteran compensation this year with $43 million and Scott county raised $1.2
million in veteran disability compensation.
Scholarships this year will amount to four, one is earmarked for any Iraq or Afghanistan veteran. The
deadline is March 31st so remember to get them turned in through our P.O. Box!
Ed Hildebrand said that a number of local schools have committed to taking part in the Vietnam
Veterans Parade as well as the Fairfield H.S. band, a Navy band from Great Lakes Training center,
Modern Woodman is offering a (501c19) grant to assist with the parade as well. JPAC will have a
representation also in the parade. Greg Paulline is helping Ed with the parade development also.
OLD BUSINESS. Greg handed out VVA sweatshirts to those who ordered them and were at the
meeting. Honor Flight of the Quad Cities has four flights scheduled this coming year and there are
now 675 Vietnam Veterans signed up. The September flight this year will be all Vietnam Veterans.
The State Council Meeting is making some progress. Quarterly meetings are currently held. The
chapter donates $4,000 a year in support. In May chapter members are going to go to DesMoines to
hold an Orange Clover Sale to further support the State Council.
NEW BUSINESS. The Lunar New Year celebration is on Sunday, February 14th and the Vietnamese
community has again invited us as honored guest. Greg Paulline is trying to organize a local
conference on PTSD and TBI, as well as other mental health issues related to military service will
tentatively run in March of 2017. Greg asked the chapter for permission to pursue this event and the
chapter voted encouragingly for him to continue. Jan Tappa is hosting a Euchre Tournament at JFK
Elementary School on Division Street March 12 it is $25 per person. Prizes are $300 ~ $200 ~ $100.
Call Loretta at 563 650-3040. There is also a 50/50. Proceeds will be donated to VVA 776. Barb Berg
has placed Terrys gun collection with M&M Pawn if anyone is interested. You know they will be in
good shape. Minutes submitted by John P. Lavelle, chapter secretary.

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CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE

This year we are offering four scholarship, one is
earmarked for an Iraq or Afghanistan veteran and three
are as usual for chapter members or families members of
Vietnam veterans. Dont miss the chance of a membership
perk. Go to the chapter web site. VVA776.org click on
Membership and scroll down to scholarships.

Deadline is March 31st