Never Again Will One Generation of Veterans Abandon Another
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QUAD CITIES CHAPTER 299 WWW.QCVVA299.ORG APRIL 2016 “We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would harm us.”George Orwell CHAPTER 299 VETS IN CRISIS HOTLINE 1.800.273.8255 President - BILL ALBRACHT 1-309-797-2660 [email protected] Vice President-RAY HAMILTON 1-563-650-7486 NEVER AGAIN WILL ONE GENERATION OF [email protected] Secretary-John Schneck VETERANS ABANDON ANOTHER. 309-798-1255 [email protected] More than a mantra or catchy area Veterans. The “Legacy Fund” would Treasurer-Mike Haney slogan, this is the founding principle of be administered and awarded by a fully 309-755-7935 – our National Organization of Vietnam bonded and vested third party that would [email protected] Veterans of America. We all remember follow our Chapter’s guidelines. The Membership - JOHN SCHNECK how people looked and treated us upon goal is to award monetary scholarships 1-309-798-1255 our return to the States. We recall the to qualified area Vets who are enrolled [email protected] media confusing an unpopular war with in college, technical school or certified the warrior. We were treated differently skilled labor apprenticeships. The Veteran Service Officers (VSO) than those who returned from WW II & awards would be allocated based on the Al “Butch” Huber-VSO Korea. We didn’t like it, but we tried to the individual applicants and their field of 309.721.1453 understand. Most of us just wanted to work/study. Steve Lowther-VSO be left alone. Many sought refuge with To make this happen we need 309.737.2954 other Vets. They understood. So we first – to approve the amended by-law VVA National Offices 800.882.1316 went to our local VFW’s and American (see inside this issue); VA Outpatient Clinic Bettendorf Legions only to be discouraged from Second – Allocate the needed 563.332.8528 joining or treated like pariahs. The broad capital to establish the funding. Both VA Med Cent IA City brush painted us as druggies, baby will be decided by a vote by the Chapter 319.338.0581 & 800.346.1843 killers, losers…we were not welcome to Membership. IL Dept of Veterans Affairs join “their club”. In our minds and in our That “Decision Letter” and VSO Dan Bebber hearts we resolved that we never treat a postage paid ‘decision postcard’ was 309.793.1460 fellow Vet like we were being treated. We sent to Every Member in in good standing RI Cty Vet Ast & VSO would help Any fellow Veteran where and January 2016. Every Member was asked Todd Harlow when we could. if they would rather establish a lasting 309.558.3546 Now, after all these years, Chapter scholarship legacy in the name of QC VET CENTER (Counseling) 299 stands of the precipice of taking a VVA 299 or continue to spend down the 309-762-6955 giant leap in that very direction, to help resources until the last man turns the IA Vet Affairs & VSO Fellow Veterans. We have the opportunity light off. David Woods to not only talk the talk but walk the walk. The facts are the majority of 563.326.8723 We can help retuning Veterans. We can Members returned their “ballot style post Honor Guard Co-Captains lighten the Veteran’s load. We can make cards” and the results were staggering. Dennis Laird - Funerals a difference for Veterans not only today, 83% of the Membership voted to create 309.721.7468 but for a very long time into the future. a Chapter Scholarship Legacy that would Andy Andersen - Parades We have the assets and be managed in perpetuity. C: 563.940.5980 resources to set aside a portion of our The path is clear; the choice is IA Workforce Vet Reps capital and use it to invest in the future ours – let us not forget the Veterans of Craig Norris - 563.445.3219 Jennifer Toenjes – of the American Veteran of the Quad this or any future generation. 1-563-445-3200 EXT. 43348 Cities Area. I am talking of course about [email protected] a Chapter 299 Legacy Scholarship for Your President – Bill Albracht 2 VOLUME 30 ISSUE 4 SHOULDER TO SHOULDER Ceremony Honors Quad-Citians Who Died In Vietnam War – By Linda Cook – Quad Cities Times March 26, 2016 The stillness of the audience Saturday in Kurk Vogler of East Heritage Hall at Rock Island Arsenal honored 200 Quad- Moline was recognized. Citians who lost their lives during the Vietnam War. Vogler died March 11, There also was a moment of silence 1967 while serving in acknowledgment of the with the 9th Infantry terrorist attacks in Brussels. Division at My Tho in It was part of the National the Mekong Delta. Vietnam Veterans Day Jim Hixson of Commemorative Service Silvis gave a compelling presented by the Vietnam eulogy about Vogler, Veterans of America 299. mentioning the “hole in A brief video tribute a mother’s heart, carried to Vietnam Veterans and for so many years, that the 50th anniversary of never heals.” “I know the Vietnam War drew far too many men living applause from those with the war every day,” gathered. Emcee and Hixson said. Chapter 299 President Gale Vogler’s Mother, Marge Vogler, and gale’s Bill Albracht called the daughter Ann Vogler – Hos, born 2 months after her video one of the best Father’s death were among Family Members and tributes he has ever Friends on hand during the ceremony. Illinois State seen. He went on to Senator Neil Anderson, R-Ill., presented the Vogler say that “some men are Family with a “shadow box” containing Spec. 4 Vogler’s born brothers and others many Medals and Decorations earned for his service. become brothers.” The family also received an American Honor Flag. Other speakers during Vietnam Veterans of America 299 and the program included: Bettendorf’s Chapter 776 Honor Guards performed U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, presentation of The Colors. A 3 Rifle Volley Salute D-Ill.: “They put it all on the denoting Duty, Honor, Country was fired and the line, for us, our country. sounding of Live “Echo” Taps performed by 2 Buglers They made sacrifices we just outside the building concluded the ceremony. can never understand.” Nationally, March 29th is accepted as the day Lt. Gen. Michael Tucker, the last Combat Troops left Vietnam in 1973, and is set commanding general, aside for observance of National Vietnam Veterans Day. First Army, Rock Island Arsenal: “Today, we honor Saturday’s ceremony was part of the commemoration their lives, their courage, their sacrifice ... The fallen of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War. men and women we honor today are real people from For The Record: National Vietnam Veterans of our local communities.” Maj. Gen. Kevin O’Connell, America took notice of Chapter 299’s Annual Memorial commanding general, U. S. Army Sustainment honoring one of our local War Dead and posted an Command: “It’s hard to imagine what it must have been article on their web site under the Heading – “Inside like to come home from war and to have been treated VVA Chapters / Quad Cities Chapter 299 Honors Fallen so poorly.” O’Connell also gave his appreciation to Veterans”. – B.A. families, saying, “Any soldier will tell you the support of their families is of utmost importance.” Among other officials on hand were East Moline Mayor John Thodos, Moline Mayor Scott Raes and 2nd Ward Alderwoman Kathy Hall of Silvis. The Eastern IowaMCA - Western Illinois Several participants took the podium to read Mechinical Contractors Association of America the names of the fallen from the Quad-City area. During the reading, the room, which previously had erupted Salute America into applause and even laughter in reaction to different and Our Veterans! speakers, became hushed. “For every person who has been recognized, there are countless others who have not,” Albracht said. 563-345-6450 Each year, the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter [email protected] 299 Honor One Quad-City area Veteran who was Killed In Action in Vietnam. This year Army Specialist 4 Gale VOLUME 30 ISSUE 4 SHOULDER TO SHOULDER 3 ANNUAL CHAPTER 299 ELECTION RECEPTION IS BACK!!! After being AWOL for a year, the Chapter’s annual Election Reception is back! On 19 April 2016, Chapter 299 will hold it’s annual meeting and election at THE VIKING CLUB, 1450-41 Street, Moline, IL. The gavel will drop at 6 pm and the voting will take place as the first item on the agenda. Please come early as all Chapter 299 Members in good standing Must Be Certified by our Chapter Secretary and Membership Chairman to receive an Election Ballot. Ballots will be passed out just prior to the actual voting. An abbreviated meeting will be held and after, the Chapter will hold its annual ELECTION RECEPTION! There will be an open bar that will cover beer, wine, soft drinks & well drinks and Hot hors d’oeuvres will be served. This is our Once A Year gathering and we want everyone to come, vote, and stay for a short meeting and then enjoy the camaraderie & friendship of your fellow Veterans. If you have a pal that is considering becoming a Member, bring him or her. There’s a vast pool of potential Members. Encourage them to be our Guests. Bill Albracht - Chapter 299 President Phone: 309-277-8700 Thanking Our Veterans For Our Freedom! 4 VOLUME 30 ISSUE 4 SHOULDER TO SHOULDER VET 2 VET REPORT – MARCH 2016 – FROM CHAIRMAN FRENCHY EAVES UPCOMING Vet 2 Vet’s next trip will be Wednesday, EVENTS April 27th to the VA Medical Center in Iowa April 16, 2016 – Vietnam Veterans of America – City.