“ 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 . ”

Officers and Board of DirectorsPresident Marlene Marolf 391-9621 Dir. Gary McDermott 242-0501Vice-President Roger Granbois 650-4958 Dir. Ed Gaudet 343-9456

Treasurer Harold Hansen 391-7776 Dir. Ed Gilmore 792-2415Secretary John Lavelle 355-4213 Dir. Art Heyderman 359-4186Web Master Roger Granbois 650-4958 Dir. Larry Witt 388-7179

THE SPIRIT OF ‘776J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 3 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

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 Chuck Morel 563 659-5512

Honor Guard Jett Bork 563 528-0636 John Lavelle 563 355-4213

Next Meeting January 23, 2013 at the Bettendorf Public Library

7:00 P.M. - 1900 hours

The Year of the SnakeChúc mừng năm mới

Senior Star

Veteran’sDay

Membership Meeting MinutesThe meeting was called to order by President Marolf at 1900 hours with a pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence for POW/MIA and all those still serving in harms way. Officers present, vice-president Roger Granbois, secretary John Lavelle, and treasurer Harold Hansen. The chapter members proceeded with the practice of introductions and a signature list passed among those present. The chapter mail was read by vice-president Granbois, a thank you from Senior Star for our veterans visit, a thank you from Maggie Gaudet, a thank you message from Sgt. Pepper for our assistance with the Cruise for Kids program that raised money for Toy For Tots.. We heard from Ed Gaudet who is recovering from his recent medical treatment as well as from Craig Norris who is still waiting for his numbers to rise so that he can receive his needed procedure. The current membership for our chapter is 186 members, 64 life members and 82 VVA members as well as 22 AVVA members, according to membership chair Larry Witt. The VSO report indicated that even with the so called speed up measures by the VA the time for a claim to be adjudicated is still too long for most of our veterans. In a related concern it was decided that our chapter could assist the state VSO office in Des Moines by sending them $250 to help with the purchase of stamps for the office mailings. Lyle Peterson spoke to the members concerning our most recent community service project. Members spent the morning at Senior Star retirement home in Davenport where they hosted a veterans appreciation breakfast. Lyle Peterson, Greg Paulline, Mike DeGeeter, Steve Bredar, Gary Janson, Roger Granbois, John and Martha Lavelle spoke to the residents and thanked them for their service to our country. Lyle also requested help to move a sofa for a veteran in Rock Island on December 6th, a vehicle and strong backs will be required. The chapter heard from James Stout, the Eastern Iowa Family Assistance Specialist. Mr. Stout has provided a storage location for the “Valor” program at the Davenport Iowa National Guard Armory on Brady Street. He also spoke to us about how his position provides a “one stop shop” for assisting the local military personnel and their families that includes opportunities like “Operation Homefront” which provides school supplies for the children of local military members. He also was seeking volunteers to assist with an event to provide a Christmas celebration for these families. Volunteers will help prepare for a meal set up and wrapping of presents from 9 AM until 10 AM. The event will be from 2 PM until 6 PM on December 6th. Our annual Christmas food baskets to needy veterans will be delivered by Lyle Wiggens and Linn Kindred this year. We will donate 14 baskets this year and they will be delivered on December 21st. The meeting was adjourned. Minutes submitted by John Lavelle, chapter secretary.

From left to right Lyle Peterson, Greg Paulline, Martha Lavelle, Steve Bredar, Gary Janson, Kim White, and Art Heyderman all travelled to the Iowa City VA Hospital to visit patients at the Christmas season. Kim is a member of both AUSA and NDIA.

Tết Nguyên ĐánWe have been invited to celebrate

TET 2013 with the

Quad City Vietnamese CommunitySunday February 10, 2013

Col Ballroom, Davenport IADoors open at 4:00 P.M.

(RSVP at the chapter meeting.)