Dispatch Newsletter, December 2018 from the Editor’S Desk: Another Issue of Splendid Content, and I Thank All the Contributors, Especially for the Excellent Photos
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Members of VFW Post 423 and VVA 310 took part in a a luncheon at Festive season: Volunteers Pioneer High School to honor Veterans Day week. This is one more prepare the Washtenaw County example of the excellent veterans program at that school. Vietnam Memorial for the season of joy. Dispatch Newsletter, December 2018 From the Editor’s Desk: Another issue of splendid content, and I thank all the contributors, especially for the excellent photos. A highlight of this issue was a luncheon at Pioneer High School, honoring Veterans Day week. LTC Charles Kettles took part in that luncheon and spoke to students. See accompanying photos. Special mention was a donation of $2,000 from AVVA to Fisher House, following extensive fundraising. Well done! Also, just as a reminder, we do have a Food Pantry program, and it is important to find out about any need our veterans may have. No one should go wanting. Don Miller spearheads this program, but we all pitch in. This is the season of giving: Thanks for all your generosity, and Happy Holidays! Dec. 2018, PAGE 1 President’s Message many cultures. In the 50’s, I no combat history. I found a By Jon Luker would say, “Merry Christmas!” group of people who still had By the time you read this Many people would respond old-fashioned respect and a message, Thanksgiving will be common appreciation for what it behind us, and Christmas will be is to be an American. upon us soon. Not everybody in VVA 310 thinks This time of the same way, as we occasionally the year is, find out. But almost always, by American we find a way to keep moving custom, both a together for a common purpose, time to reflect knowing that there is much more upon things that binds us than separates we can be us. This is a place where the thankful for old-school respect for others and a time for with phrases like, “And Happy is prominent. I could be wrong, passing on some of our good New Year to you!” Or they would but I believe our organization is fortune to others (in a way that just say “Merry Christmas” back this way because that’s how our is different from what we do all to me. Now and then, someone members’ personal beliefs teach year). would reply, “Happy Hanukkah!” them to behave toward others. One of the things I’m grateful All I knew back then was It is not “custom” or social for is living in the most liberated that they believed something pressure, but rather values, that country in the history of the different from what I did. They motivate our members. I love world. I mean “liberated” in the were not offended that I was a that. Gary was right. I am truly sense that we are free from Christian and that I didn’t think to grateful that I’ve had a chance to governmental restraint to the say “Happy Hanukkah!” to them. meet you and to work with you greatest extent possible. For Instead, we brightened each toward honorable goals. one thing, it means that I am free other’s day, showing respect to think of this time of the year for each other and sharing a And VVA 310 is a great place to as one during which Christian common appreciation of the find examples of the old-style people pay attention to the gift of benefits of living in the United spirit of Christmas giving. We Grace God gave us through the States. see not only the annual gift- birth of Jesus Christ, and there is Although I miss those days, I’m budget getting bigger, but also nothing the government can do thankful for Gary Lillie badgering the volunteer hours increasing, to stop me or make me feel bad me until I became a member of with the VA underwear party, about it. VVA 310. Since the Army, I’ve packing parties, shopping for Of course, society is different. not been a joiner. But my work at the Dawn Farms Thanksgiving Some people may be offended Concordia forced me to become program, and so forth. Not that or may want to harass me for familiar with veterans and their you don’t do this all year long. I my beliefs. But that leads me organizations. I was impressed have seen you in action: helping to having another reason to be that, no matter what veterans a vet get their car back on the grateful: America has been, for event I attended, I would always road, making sure VA patients the longest time, one of the most find VVA members, and the are not forgotten during their tolerant places in which to live. event was probably being run hospital stays, building ramps, Here’s what I mean. When I was by somebody from VVA 310. providing medical equipment, a kid, I lived on the U of M campus Eventually, Gary convinced me and much more. For you, every (between the main campus and that I would be welcomed at day is Christmas. the athletic grounds) and met VVA 310, even though I was I’m even grateful for our folks from many countries and a messed-up veteran with challenges. We’ve been without Dec. 2018, PAGE 2 a Secretary and a couple board the things of the world, the very members for a while. The board things that our adoption frees positions were filled at our last us from. Yes, we live in the world meeting, but we still need a and need some of what it offers Secretary. Challenges teach us to survive, yet it is God who made that our self-imposed limitations these things for us to enjoy. usually underestimate our actual As we seek gifts to give to those limitations by a significant we love this Christmas, let us amount. If we think that there is no challenge put before us that doesn’t have a solution, we begin to give the ultimate gift to His to see how our group members mankind through the birth of a possess talents or training the Savior, which is Christ the Lord. rest of us wouldn’t have found Galatians 4 tells of this gift and out about otherwise. its purpose: Sometimes we surprise Now I say, as long as the heir is ourselves by doing what we a child, he does not differ at all previously thought we couldn’t from a slave, although he is owner of everything, but he is under do. Challenges are not meant guardians and managers until the to turn us back into people who date set by the father. So also we, do so with eternity in mind and want to live in a cave. They are while we were children, were held in value the relationships that are designed to make us realize that bondage under the elemental things born of eternity through the gift God gave us much more than of the world. But when the fullness of Jesus Christ. we may have realized. So, if you of the time came, God sent forth A most blessed and glorious are ready for a somewhat mild His Son, born of a woman, born Christmas as we sing praises to challenge, please let us know. If under the Law, so that He might Him who alone is worthy, you usually can be at meetings redeem those who were under Gordon and can hear and print or write the Law, that we might receive the ******** adoption as sons. Because you are or type, you are qualified and sons, God has sent forth the Spirit Honoring December probably would do a respectable of His Son into our hearts, crying, Anniversaries on the job. “Abba! Father!” Therefore you are I hope you all fully enjoy your Wall no longer a slave, but a son; and Private First Class Donald holiday. I hope you are healthy if a son, then an heir through God. George Bousley was born on enough and wealthy enough to However at that time, when you did March 18, 1949 in Ann Arbor, go where you need to go and not know God, you were slaves to Michigan to Mr. and Mrs. Ferris to create great memories for those which by nature are no gods. G. Bousley. Donald is a 1968 yourself and your loved ones. I But now that you have come to graduate of Ann Arbor High wish you safe travels. know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that we turn back School. Thank you for being you and again to the weak and worthless Private First Class Bousley allowing me to be with you during elemental things, to which you enlisted in this past year. desire to be enslaved all over again? the Army in De Oppresso Liber, Luker (Gal. 4:1-9 New American June of 1968. ******** Standard Bible). He began his December 2018 What a gift we have been given tour of duty Chaplain’s Corner to be made children of God and in Tay Ninh By Gordon Moore heirs through Christ to all that Province, Christmas was the time for God is His! Yet, we often seek more South Dec. 2018, PAGE 3 Vietnam on November 20, Camp in San Diego, California. Sergeant Johnson entered the 1968 serving with C Company, Paul began his tour of duty in Army in 1965 and received his 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, Danang, Quang Nam Province, Basic Training in Fort Knox, 25th Infantry Division as an South Vietnam on October 2, Kentucky, and completed infantryman.