Next Meeting July 29, 2015 at the American Legion Post 26

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 A T 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 .

Vol. 18 Issue 7

Officers and Board of DirectorsPresident Greg Paulline 563 650-3055 Dir. David Woods 563 326-8723Vice-President Bruce Cheek 563 349-4129 Dir. Ed Gaudet 563 349-9456Treasurer Harold Hansen 563 505-9674 Dir. Bill Matthews 563 355-5618Secretary John Lavelle 563 355-4213 Dir. Steve Satre 563 289-1776Trustee. Lyle Peterson 563 386-1286 Dir. Larry Witt 563 388-7179

THE SPIRIT OF 776 J U L Y 2 0 1 5 N E W S L E T T E R

V I E T N A M V E T E R A N S O F A M E R I C A C H A P T E R 7 7 6

VeteranService Officers

&Service

CoordinatorsClarke Barnes309 944-3674

Ed Gaudet563 343-9456David Woods563 326-8723Ernest Ledjte563 785-6182 Tom Lemon

563 359-3201

Honor GuardJohn Lavelle563 355-4213

Web MasterRoger Granbois

roger@granbois.net

BETTENDORF 4TH OF JULY PARADEThis year we marched in the parade with Ban Dinh and he carried the flag of the Republic of Vietnam. From left to right, John Lavelle, Greg Paulline, Ban Dinh, Jett Bork, and Denny Gray. There was a great appreciative crowd.

Minutes of June 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 May meeting were accepted as posted in the newsletter. Larry Witt informed the group that our current membership is now at 206. Harold Hansen informed the chapter on our current financial status. Military Cost Cutter gave a presentation and members were able to sign up during the meeting. We heard of our members in distress including Edwin Hildebrand, who was at the meeting. He has been told he has asthma and needs an inhaler. Dave Happ is currently in a wheel chair. The next BOD meeting will be July 7th at 1830 hours, location TBA. The July meeting will be held at Post 26 and a vote will be taken as to where future meetings will be held. The chapter honor guard will present colors for the Bix Road Race on July 25th with the assistance of two members of VVA Chapter 299. The Classic Car Show will be July 25th at North Park Mall, a rain date is set for August 1. Lyle Peterson is in need of numerous volunteers, contact him at 386-1286. You should visit the Putnam Vietnam War exhibit, The traveling Vietnam Wall will be at the Rock Island Arsenal from July 29th until August 2 and there is a need for many volunteers to assist with this 50th Commemoration project, contact Lyle Peterson if you can help. We will need to have people at the wall 24/7. We will need more documentation for the Parade set for May 21,2016. Some VIP invitations have been accepted. There is a need for work by the public relations committee to get media contacts in preparation for the bi-state 50th Commemoration Parade. June is Orange Clover Sale time, June 26 through June 28th. Shoes for Veterans will provide shoes this year at the Veterans Stand Down and the chapter voted to donate $200 to assist with this program. The event is September 17-18-19 at QC Expo center, the chapter will again provide lunch on Saturday. Honor Flight has almost completed all the area Korean War Veterans and is now considering expanding to bring this honor to Vietnam Veterans in the very near future. Jett Bork spoke to the members of the need for more volunteers to assist with the projects the chapter undertakes. He said it is always the same people who do the work, more need to step up. Planning and executing these projects makes the chapter what it is. The meeting was adjourned. Minutes submitted by John P. Lavelle, chapter secretary.

July 29th (THE FIFTH WEDNESDAY)

Chapter Meeting LocationWe will be meeting at the

American Legion Post 26702 W 35th Street

************************There will be a vote taken at this

meeting to determine future meeting sights, be sure to come.

TRAVELLINGVIETNAM

WALLROCK ISLAND

ARSENALJULY 29 ~ AUG 2WE WILL NEED VOLUNTEERS

CONTACTLYLE

PETERSON

2667 5th St. Rock Island, IL

Leisure Time Billiards & Sports Bar

845 Avenue of the CitiesEast Moline , IL

Full Kitchen

2 Sports Bars

8 Dart Boards & 13 pool Tables

CHAPTERS CLASSIC CAR SHOWJULY 25TH @NORTHPARK

MALL

WE WILL NEED TONS OF HELP. POC: LYLE PETERSONDO IT NOW! IT IS ALWAYS A FUN EVENING!

RAIN DATEAUGUST 1