August 2008
VIETNAM TRAVELING MEMORIAL WALL
IN TALLAHASSEE - November 6 to 11, 2008
Expect
to see this upcoming event mentioned a few times during the next couple
of months. Most of the necessary committees have been organized
and the
committee chairs are setting up systems to deal with organizing
and scheduling volunteers in their respective areas of responsibility,
but we can always use more volunteers... especially from among chapter
members. Though time seems to roll languidly along towards our
November action date for erecting the Traveling Wall at Fred Drake Park
on Lake Ella, it's actually sizzling and every day is a new
adventure. A couple of weeks ago we learned that the city has
plans to remove the pretty rocks seen in the photo of the peninsula at
Lake Ella, and erect a vertical wall in their place. This is
supposed to happen in August and September, so at this point in time we
don't know what the place will look like come November! To stay
up to date on the Traveling Wall, check our special web site devoted
exclusively to this special event: http://vva96.org/wall.htmHOOTCH RENOVATIONS
Work
on the Hootch proceeds slowly but does proceed. If you missed out
on helping build the Hootch back in '88, now in '08 is a time that you can
step forward and help make a new incarnation come about.
Contact Rick at if you can help.
There has been a
shortfall in donations to accomplish the Hootch renovations, so
Chapter 96 has applied to the Florida Vietnam Veterans Assistance
Foundation for
a grant to defray some of those costs. In the meantime, fund
raising efforts continue for both the Hootch renovations and the
Traveling Wall project. Every little bit helps. If you can,
buy a ticket or two and watch Joe West's show. Better still, sell
a few dozen tickets to your friends and neighbors! A separate
flyer has been enclosed with the copies of this newsletter that are
mailed to members (it is NOT enclosed with newsletters sent to
non-members) giving members an "opportunity" to donate. We are
perfectly happy to take donations from nonmembers, but nonmembers
wishing to donate should contact our treasurer. Non-members
wishing to donate, please call the Hootch at (850) 224-8838, and leave
a message for Bob Flanagan.
Free Fire Wire
August 2008
August 2008
UPCOMING VVA BIG BEND CHAPTER 96 MEETINGS
August 21, 2008 - September 18, 2008 - October 16, 2008
August 21, 2008 - September 18, 2008 - October 16, 2008
On these dates the Board will meet at 6:15 p.m. (5:30 p.m. on August 4 & 21), and Members will meet at 7:30 p.m.
The Board also meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month.
The Board also meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month.
REMEMBER TO BRING CANNED GOODS FOR HOMELESS VETS!
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Dog Days of Summer are here. I hope your air conditioner works! Plans for the Traveling Wall are
shaping up. There have been three meetings with public input. I
personally thank all who came and showed interest in helping to make this a quality
event. Our next Traveling Wall meeting will be in September. Most issues have been
resolved with city regarding the use of the park.
Speaking of dogs, the Space Coast War Dog Association will set up a display honoring all K9s who have served in all wars, near the Hootch and between Lake Ella and the American Legion Post 13 meeting hall.
This display will be arranged around a military tent and will honor all
K9s who have served in all wars. The War Dogs memorial will come
in on the 5th and leave on the 10th.
Ceramic tile work for the Hootch floor is scheduled for the upcoming weekend, August 16th & 17th. At the same time I would like to see the old landing and steps at the front door torn off and replaced. Capital City Lumber has generously donated all materials for replacement of the landing and steps. If you have an interest in helping with either the tile work or the deck replacement please contact me at 545-1811.
We are short of funds both for Hootch renovations and for bringing the Traveling Wall to Tallahassee. Don't be afraid to ask around for donations... the worst anyone can do is say no. Joe West is performing a show at the Comedy Zone to help raise funds for the Traveling Wall event. He has donated his talent. We have 100 tickets to sell and Chapter 96 gets all of the proceeds if the tickets are bought from a chapter member (tickets are being sold at the Comedy Zone as well). If you haven't gotten a ticket yet, get one... NO... get TWO! It should be a good show. The show date is Wednesday evening, September 3rd. Tickets are priced at $20 & $15. Talk to Ken Ganey or John Petriello. They are desperate to sell a ticket! (Sell'um guys!) There is still lots to do.
Speaking of dogs, the Space Coast War Dog Association will set up a display honoring all K9s who have served in all wars, near the Hootch and between Lake Ella and the American Legion Post 13 meeting hall.
This display will be arranged around a military tent and will honor all
K9s who have served in all wars. The War Dogs memorial will come
in on the 5th and leave on the 10th. Ceramic tile work for the Hootch floor is scheduled for the upcoming weekend, August 16th & 17th. At the same time I would like to see the old landing and steps at the front door torn off and replaced. Capital City Lumber has generously donated all materials for replacement of the landing and steps. If you have an interest in helping with either the tile work or the deck replacement please contact me at 545-1811.
We are short of funds both for Hootch renovations and for bringing the Traveling Wall to Tallahassee. Don't be afraid to ask around for donations... the worst anyone can do is say no. Joe West is performing a show at the Comedy Zone to help raise funds for the Traveling Wall event. He has donated his talent. We have 100 tickets to sell and Chapter 96 gets all of the proceeds if the tickets are bought from a chapter member (tickets are being sold at the Comedy Zone as well). If you haven't gotten a ticket yet, get one... NO... get TWO! It should be a good show. The show date is Wednesday evening, September 3rd. Tickets are priced at $20 & $15. Talk to Ken Ganey or John Petriello. They are desperate to sell a ticket! (Sell'um guys!) There is still lots to do.
In
closing, please keep Al Oliva in your thoughts. He really had a severe
bout with pneumonia and was hospitalized but is making a come-back.
(Hang in there brother, we love you.) Please remember all those now serving
to protect us on all fronts in the war on terrorism, and pray for our
wounded to make a speedy recovery.
Lest we
forget
Rick Clevenger
Rick Clevenger
Free Fire Wire
August 2008
August 2008
Operation Paperback
Chapter 96 has a new member,
Gary Callaway, who (to carry Rick's theme for the month along),
is "working like a dog" to collect paperback books and send them to our
deployed troops. You can bring them to the Hootch, or there are
lots of other collection points. Here's a list:
Esposito's Nurseries
Esposito's Nurseries
Any Florida Commerce Credit Union branch
FSU Air Force ROTC
FSU Army ROTC
FAMU Army ROTC
FAMU Navy ROTC
Shane's Rib Shack
Comedy Central
The Bookshelf Book Store
VFW Post 3308
American Legion Post 13
Vietnam Veterans of America, Big Bend Chapter 96
Bali Hai (Railroad Square)
If you have a large number of books to donate, Gary will even come and get them. Let's give Gary more work to do. Donate your books. Ask your friends to donate their books. I don't know about anyone else, but books were important to me in Vietnam and most of the ones that came my way had a rubber stamp mark on the inside cover: "Donated by the Kiwanis Club of Scotch Plains, N.J." NOPE! I have not forgotten.
Richard White
Editor
If you have a large number of books to donate, Gary will even come and get them. Let's give Gary more work to do. Donate your books. Ask your friends to donate their books. I don't know about anyone else, but books were important to me in Vietnam and most of the ones that came my way had a rubber stamp mark on the inside cover: "Donated by the Kiwanis Club of Scotch Plains, N.J." NOPE! I have not forgotten.
Richard White
Editor
"Free" American Legion Membership
Sauls-Bridges Post 13 has a deal for you. The Post will pay the first year's American Legion dues for any VVA Chapter 96 member who is not an American Legion member. They call it a complimentary gesture of welcome. That sounds about right.
