SPECIAL EDITION OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2008
VVA Chapter 96
25 Years in Service to America (1983-2008)
THE HOOTCH
20 years Serving the Community (1988-2008)
"Dedicated to the memory of those who did not come
home, in service of those who did."
VVA
Chapter 96 web site: http://vva96.org
Vietnam Veterans of America Big Bend Chapter 96
November Compiled Master Schedule
November Compiled Master Schedule
LOCATION LEGEND: Fred Drake Park = FD In Hootch = HI Behind Hootch = HB Hootch in Front=HF
FD - Mon Nov 3 - work starts on a temporary foundation for the Traveling Wall
FD - Wed Nov 5 - tents erected, 24 hour a day site security begins
- Thu Nov 6 - 730 a.m. Motorcycle escort assembles at Golden Corral
- Thu Nov 6 - 9:00 a.m. Motorcycle Escort departs for Downtown
FD - Thu Nov 6 - 9:30 a.m. Escort arrives at Fred Drake City Park & Wall set-up begins
HB - Thu Nov 6 - 1:00 p.m. War Dogs Memorial Display begins
FD - Fri Nov 7 - "fudge time" to be used if necessary to complete Wall set-up if delayed by predicted rain
FD - Fri Nov 7 - Sunup to Sundown Reading of Names of the Fallen begins
FD - Fri Nov 7 - 7:00 p.m. Opening Ceremony for the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall
FD - Fri Nov 7 - 7:00 p.m. Name Locator Service begins
HB - Fri Nov 7 - War Dog Demonstrations 12:00 (noon) AND 3:00 p.m.: dogs, handlers, & trainer from Tyndall
HB - Sat Nov 8 - morning (TENTATIVE) - War Dog Demonstration: dogs, handlers, & trainer from Tyndall
HI - Sat Nov 8 - 10:00 a.m. Don Stocks' Vietnam Art Exhibit begins
HB - Mon Nov 10 - late afternoon, War Dogs Memorial ends
HF - Tue Nov 11 - 2:00 p.m., Celebration of anniversaries: 25 years as a VVA chapter & 20 years for the Hootch
HI - Tue Nov 11 - 2:30 p.m. Lunch is served (If you want to, bring desserts, salads, or beverages)
FD - Tue Nov 11 - 5:00 p.m. Reading of Names of the Fallen ends, Name Locator Service ends
FD - Tue Nov 11 - 5:00 p.m. Closing Ceremony for Traveling Wall
HI - Tue Nov 11 - 5:00 p.m. Don Stocks' Vietnam Art Exhibit ends
FD - Wed Nov 12 - 9:30 a.m. Traveling Wall Disassembly Begins
FD - Wed Nov 12 - "around noon" Traveling Wall departs, 24 hour a day security ends
NOTICE TO ALL PRE-SCHEDULED VOLUNTEERS: PLEASE "CHECK IN" AT THE VOLUNTEER TENT.
ADDITIONAL ("NEW") VOLUNTEERS MAY "SIGN UP" AT THE VOLUNTEER TENT.
FD - Mon Nov 3 - work starts on a temporary foundation for the Traveling Wall
FD - Wed Nov 5 - tents erected, 24 hour a day site security begins
- Thu Nov 6 - 730 a.m. Motorcycle escort assembles at Golden Corral
- Thu Nov 6 - 9:00 a.m. Motorcycle Escort departs for Downtown
FD - Thu Nov 6 - 9:30 a.m. Escort arrives at Fred Drake City Park & Wall set-up begins
HB - Thu Nov 6 - 1:00 p.m. War Dogs Memorial Display begins
FD - Fri Nov 7 - "fudge time" to be used if necessary to complete Wall set-up if delayed by predicted rain
FD - Fri Nov 7 - Sunup to Sundown Reading of Names of the Fallen begins
FD - Fri Nov 7 - 7:00 p.m. Opening Ceremony for the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall
FD - Fri Nov 7 - 7:00 p.m. Name Locator Service begins
HB - Fri Nov 7 - War Dog Demonstrations 12:00 (noon) AND 3:00 p.m.: dogs, handlers, & trainer from Tyndall
HB - Sat Nov 8 - morning (TENTATIVE) - War Dog Demonstration: dogs, handlers, & trainer from Tyndall
HI - Sat Nov 8 - 10:00 a.m. Don Stocks' Vietnam Art Exhibit begins
HB - Mon Nov 10 - late afternoon, War Dogs Memorial ends
HF - Tue Nov 11 - 2:00 p.m., Celebration of anniversaries: 25 years as a VVA chapter & 20 years for the Hootch
HI - Tue Nov 11 - 2:30 p.m. Lunch is served (If you want to, bring desserts, salads, or beverages)
FD - Tue Nov 11 - 5:00 p.m. Reading of Names of the Fallen ends, Name Locator Service ends
FD - Tue Nov 11 - 5:00 p.m. Closing Ceremony for Traveling Wall
HI - Tue Nov 11 - 5:00 p.m. Don Stocks' Vietnam Art Exhibit ends
FD - Wed Nov 12 - 9:30 a.m. Traveling Wall Disassembly Begins
FD - Wed Nov 12 - "around noon" Traveling Wall departs, 24 hour a day security ends
NOTICE TO ALL PRE-SCHEDULED VOLUNTEERS: PLEASE "CHECK IN" AT THE VOLUNTEER TENT.
ADDITIONAL ("NEW") VOLUNTEERS MAY "SIGN UP" AT THE VOLUNTEER TENT.
UPCOMING VVA BIG BEND CHAPTER 96 MEETINGS
November 20, 2008 - December 18, 2008 - January 15, 2009
November 20, 2008 - December 18, 2008 - January 15, 2009
On these dates the Board will meet at 6:15 p.m., 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
Renovations
of the Hootch haven't quite included everything we proposed initially,
but those things we could do are near completion and represent very
striking improvements. We very much thank the Florida
Vietnam Veterans Assistance Foundation for the grant money they
provided to help with this, and also the members of one of the
community organizations which uses the Hootch frequently and generally
prefers to remain anonymous.
Time is near for the Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall event we have planned for the week before, Veterans Day ceremonies, and for the anniversaries of the Chapter and the Hootch. If you haven't signed up in some form or fashion to help, please do! We have been signing up volunteers for a few weeks already through our web site, and by direct activities initiated by the various committee chairs.
The schedule of events is as follows, Monday, November 3rd we will layout for the Traveling Wall "stob" foundation. On the 4th and 5th, the foundation is to be put in place. On the 6th the Wall will arrive.
With Tallahassee Police Department and Leon County Sheriff's Department assistance, a Vietnam & Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club escort from Golden Coral's parking lot, around the Capitol, then to Fred Drake Park, will take place. The escort will line up starting at 7:30 until 9:00 am and will head downtown at 9:00 am sharp. The route will be through downtown Tallahassee to the Florida Vietnam Veteran Memorial and back to Lake Ella for setup to begin around 10:00 am. Volunteers are needed to help setup, which takes 4 to 5 hours. Opening ceremonies will be at 7:00 pm on Friday, November 7th. Reading of the names of Vietnam Casualties will have already begun at sunup on the 7th and they will continue through Monday, the 10th. Plans included reading the names of post-Vietnam casualties up to the present on Tuesday, November 11th; however it proved to be impossible to obtain anything resembling a comprehensive list of post-Vietnam casualties. At least the local post-Vietnam casualties names will be read on November 11th. Closing ceremonies will be on Veterans Day at 5:00 pm.
We have encouraged advanced sign-ups as much as possible, but volunteers are still needed, so there will be a volunteer tent set up on site at which volunteers may sign up during the event.
From November 6th through 10th there will also be a separate War Dogs display lakeside between the Hootch and the American Legion Hall, to honor all the K-9s that have served and still serve with our soldiers who protect our freedoms. So please visit both sites while you are at Lake Ella.
Also on Veterans Day we will have a short ceremony at the Hootch, marking the 25 anniversary of Chapter 96 and the 20th anniversary of the Hootch. We will thank Tallahassee and surrounding communities for their support for the past 20 years after which we will provide food and beverages to those who are invited... Chapter 96 members and friends, volunteers from other community organizations who helped with the Traveling Wall, and all of the veterans of the area irrespective of exactly where they live or what organizations they are part of. If that sounds like a broad invitation, it is... it certainly is. But it's only good for the first 300 in line. After that, all you can do is watch the first 300 eat! Don Stock will have a small exhibit of his Vietnam art inside of the Hootch, so come check it out and check out the Hootch renovations.
With all of this "ten tons of stuff" coming up the first week in November, we also have one of our two routine fund raising events by which we keep the doors open and the lights on... just a couple of days afterwards. Bradley's Country Store's Fun Days will be on November 22nd, and we need a good turnout of volunteers to help make it a success too. Some small donations for the Traveling Wall are still coming in, but by and large if Chapter 96 was a gas tank, whatever it fueled would be "running on fumes".
In closing, the ongoing election could very well be the most important in recent history. I hope that everyone exercised their right to vote, and I pray for these troubled time to pass.
Remember our soldiers now in harms way and pray for their safe return.
Time is near for the Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall event we have planned for the week before, Veterans Day ceremonies, and for the anniversaries of the Chapter and the Hootch. If you haven't signed up in some form or fashion to help, please do! We have been signing up volunteers for a few weeks already through our web site, and by direct activities initiated by the various committee chairs.
The schedule of events is as follows, Monday, November 3rd we will layout for the Traveling Wall "stob" foundation. On the 4th and 5th, the foundation is to be put in place. On the 6th the Wall will arrive.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - (Continued)
With Tallahassee Police Department and Leon County Sheriff's Department assistance, a Vietnam & Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club escort from Golden Coral's parking lot, around the Capitol, then to Fred Drake Park, will take place. The escort will line up starting at 7:30 until 9:00 am and will head downtown at 9:00 am sharp. The route will be through downtown Tallahassee to the Florida Vietnam Veteran Memorial and back to Lake Ella for setup to begin around 10:00 am. Volunteers are needed to help setup, which takes 4 to 5 hours. Opening ceremonies will be at 7:00 pm on Friday, November 7th. Reading of the names of Vietnam Casualties will have already begun at sunup on the 7th and they will continue through Monday, the 10th. Plans included reading the names of post-Vietnam casualties up to the present on Tuesday, November 11th; however it proved to be impossible to obtain anything resembling a comprehensive list of post-Vietnam casualties. At least the local post-Vietnam casualties names will be read on November 11th. Closing ceremonies will be on Veterans Day at 5:00 pm.
We have encouraged advanced sign-ups as much as possible, but volunteers are still needed, so there will be a volunteer tent set up on site at which volunteers may sign up during the event.
From November 6th through 10th there will also be a separate War Dogs display lakeside between the Hootch and the American Legion Hall, to honor all the K-9s that have served and still serve with our soldiers who protect our freedoms. So please visit both sites while you are at Lake Ella.
Also on Veterans Day we will have a short ceremony at the Hootch, marking the 25 anniversary of Chapter 96 and the 20th anniversary of the Hootch. We will thank Tallahassee and surrounding communities for their support for the past 20 years after which we will provide food and beverages to those who are invited... Chapter 96 members and friends, volunteers from other community organizations who helped with the Traveling Wall, and all of the veterans of the area irrespective of exactly where they live or what organizations they are part of. If that sounds like a broad invitation, it is... it certainly is. But it's only good for the first 300 in line. After that, all you can do is watch the first 300 eat! Don Stock will have a small exhibit of his Vietnam art inside of the Hootch, so come check it out and check out the Hootch renovations.
With all of this "ten tons of stuff" coming up the first week in November, we also have one of our two routine fund raising events by which we keep the doors open and the lights on... just a couple of days afterwards. Bradley's Country Store's Fun Days will be on November 22nd, and we need a good turnout of volunteers to help make it a success too. Some small donations for the Traveling Wall are still coming in, but by and large if Chapter 96 was a gas tank, whatever it fueled would be "running on fumes".
In closing, the ongoing election could very well be the most important in recent history. I hope that everyone exercised their right to vote, and I pray for these troubled time to pass.
Remember our soldiers now in harms way and pray for their safe return.
Lest We Forget - Rick Clevenger
A VETERANS DAY REMEMBRANCE SERVICE
Arranged
by Big Bend Hospice to Remember and Honor our Veterans Thursday,
November 6, 2008, 11:30 AM at the VA Outpatient Clinic Atrium -
CHAPTER 96 / HOOTCH ANNIVERSARY Tee-SHIRTS FOR SALE
After many dry "no tee-shirt years", Chapter 96 has minted a brand new design with artwork celebrating our 25 years as a VVA Chapter and the 20th anniversary of our home, the Hootch. That artwork is shown on pages 5 and 6 (the "back cover) of this issue of the Free Fire Wire... get 'em while they're HOT! (ONLY $10 each)
PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS "1st ANNUAL SALUTE TO VETERANS
POKER RUN"
The Patriot Guard Riders are putting on a Poker Run to benefit VVA Chapter 96 on November 15th starting at Capital City Harley Davidson, 1745 Capital Circle NW. First bike out at 10:00 a.m., last bike out at 11:00 a.m., BUT you DO NOT have to ride a motorcycle to participate. Last bike in at K&K Fish Camp at 3:00 p.m. (Lunch and Live Music provided). The cost is $15 per rider (and that includes getting a long-sleeved tee-shirt)... $10.00 per passenger... $10.00 per extra hand. BEST HAND wins $1,000. WORST HAND wins a 2 night motel stay.
OTHER VETERANS DAY EVENTS
As always American Legion Post 13 at Lake Ella will be serving breakfast to veterans and their families at 7:00 a.m. on November 11th. The annual Tallahassee Veterans Day Parade will kick off at 11 a.m. VFW Post 3308 will have a Spaghetti Supper at 6:30 p.m.
In Flanders Fields
John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
CHAPTER 96's MAGIC TIME MACHINE
“Okay Rick, what’s on your mind?” Rick Clevenger had called me and said he
wanted to come in and discuss a project. This was sometime during the Fall of
1987 (yikes how time flies!!). “Well, I want to build a building just for Viet
Vets for our local chapter. We've spoken with the local American Legion on Lake
Ella and I think they’ll let us do it, right next to their place.” At that short meeting, and with those two sentences from Rick, the first building solely for Vietnam era vets began to take shape. About one year later, on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 1988, under a bright Tallahassee Sky with many smiling faces and dignitaries in attendance, “The Hootch,” had its dedication ceremony.
There were starts and stops, hopes and dreams, blood, sweat and tears along the way – but it was also a lot of fun! After our first meeting, Rick and I started thinking about what would fit on the property the Legion had offered. Then, we sweet-talked everyone we could get to listen, to help us draw the plans and donate materials. I asked the suppliers/vendors and subcontractors I used in my construction company to help, by donating all, or as much as they could, of their part of the Hootch. Everyone stepped up big time.
I pulled the permit at the City of Tallahassee and we were off! We had a few old fashioned “barn raising” days, where many volunteers showed up to help raise walls, push up trusses and paint. Rick ran the crews. I helped with scheduling and ran the video camera to document the process to help other chapters in the future get their own buildings.
The Tallahassee community opened its arms and pockets to help make the Hootch a reality. The local media did a nice job covering the process too. I’m sure we had some glitches and hold ups – however, the overall project went very well.
Now, coming up on 20 years later, I’m very happy and proud to have helped with such a great adventure. The Hootch has literally served thousands. As VVA Chapter 96 plans for its 25th anniversary, and for the Hootch’s 20th, what a great opportunity to re-chart its future and expand its mission.
I’m glad Rick came in that day, now so long ago. I’m happy to have participated in the construction of the Hootch. I’m very grateful to all of those who have used the Hootch to serve so many in need. I urge you to continue doing so into the future. I urge you to widen your net to include those who have served after you. My family and I sincerely thank you for the service you rendered to our country. And…Happy 20th Anniversary Hootch!
Tim O’Brien
SPECIAL EDITION OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2008
(1988-2008)
"Dedicated to the memory of those who did not come home,
in service of those who did."
VVA Chapter 96 web site: http://vva96.org