The Spirit of 776 September 2017

VIETNAM
VETERANS
OF AMERICA
CHAPTER 776
Never Again Will
Meeting at Bettendorf Public Library
One Generation of
September 25 at 1900 hours 7:00 P.M. Veterans Abandon
Another.
Volume 21 Issue 9

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
October 23, 1983
roger@granbois.net

Officers and Board of Directors

President Ed Guadet 563 659-5421 Dir. Ernest Ledjte 563 785-6182
Vice-President Bruce Cheek 563 349-4129 Dir. Sonny Kempf 563 505-1609
Treasurer Harold Hansen 563 505-9674 Dir. Bill Matthews 563 355-5618
Secretary John Lavelle 563 355-4213 Dir. Steve Satre 563 289-1776
Trustee Greg Paulline 563 650-3055 Dir. Larry Witt 563 388-7179
 Minutes for membership meeting September 2017 - Bettendorf Library

Meeting was called to order at 1900 hrs. 26 July 17 by President Ed Guadet. Officers present,
Bruce Cheek, Harold Hansen, and John Lavelle. Members ind distress include Dave Woods
who is experiencing health problems and Mike Martin who has been hospitalized with back
pain. Bruce Cheek read the communications we received, a thank you from Ron and Judy
Ward, a thank you from the Iowa State council for our quarterly donation, and a request
from Christian Care for a donation. Coin stories were shared with the members, Darrel
Thede presented a coin in the HyVee parking lot and it brought the vet to tears. Jim Daxon
presented one of our poker chip coins to a family member at a funeral at the RIA National
Cemetery. Lyle Peterson met with a Vietnam vet at <t. Rushmore and presented him with a
chapter coin. Ernest Ledjte presented a coin to a vet at the Vettes on the River event. Sonny
Kempf presented a coin to a vet at the Farm & Fleet parking lot. Im Nation presented a coin
to a vet at a horse trading. Larry Witt informed the members that we are currently at 231
members. Larry Will spoke to the members about a project that will be held at The American
Legion Post 26 on November 18th. It is Rock & Roll Bingo and he is pretty excited about it.
The music from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s will be played by a disc jockey and when you
recognize the music you look on your bingo card and mark the song. Cards will be $10 a piece
and a second card can be obtained for $5. Players will compete for gift cards and there will
also be a Silent Auction that will help those who are looking for unique Christmas gifts. The
bar will be open and all beverages consumed at the bingo night must be purchased at the bar.
Snacks and other food stuffs may be brought to the event. Sounds like a rocking good time.
The finance committee made some recommendations for donations to the VVA State councils
of Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico for $1,000 to assist Vietnam veterans who have
experienced loss due to the recent hurricanes. The chapter voted unanimously to proceed with
the donation. The committee also recommended donating $300 to Down Range Excursions to
assist them in their goal of helping veterans transition into civilian life. We have ordered 300
new chapter coins and will be purchasing chapter cards to hand out along with the coins to
veterans. Greg Paulline attended the State Council meeting and said that six of the eight
chapters were represented at the meeting. The Toys for Tots car cruise in raised $617 and
three boxes of toys. Lyle Peterson was given a piece of art work at the Vettes on the River
event and it is currently on loan at the Vet Center Out Patient Clinic. We have new shirts to
purchase at $25 a piece POC is Nick McQuistion. The Veterans Day parade is November
10th this year in downtown Davenport. The Welcome Home Dance is also on November 10th
at Jumers Casino and Hotel in Rock Island. The Christmas party will be December 7 at Post
26, the bar is open at 5:30 and dinner at 6:30. Clover sales in Clinton is October 21. October
20th members will clean the Clinton County Veterans Memorial. Edwin Hildebrand said
that Tom Simmons will be in charge of the Veterans Day parade in Davenport. Minutes
submitted by John P. Lavelle, chapter secretary.
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Chapter Christmas Party

December 7th at Post 26
Doors open at 5:30 and
dinner is at 6:30. Be sure to
reserve your spot for this.

WELCOME HOME DANCE

Vietnam Veterans of America Ch 299 - 669 - 776
November 10, 2017
Jumers Casino and Hotel Rock Island Illinois
Doors open 5:30 Band 7:00 until 10:30
$13 advanced tickets at HyVee
$15 at the door
Music by Coup de Ville