| SITREP |
VET CENTERS Free Counseling for Combat Veterans & their families available. Locations: Scranton (Main Office) Berwick Honesdale Lenox Milford Nazareth Stroudsburg Tobyhanna Department of Veterans Affairs 1-866-776-1516 PTSD clinics Veterans Service officers Counseling |
| Pocono Chapter 678 |
| July-Aug - Volume 9, Issue 4 |
| The Situation Report (Sitrep) For the Operations of VVA Pocono Chapter 678 of northeast Pennsylvania |
Tribute held for
Milford airman killed
in Vietnam
Milford airman killed
in Vietnam
| Memorial Day tribute, Delaware Valley Elementary School in Milford, Pa. Honored Edwin “Jack” Pearce, a Milford man whose plane was shot down in Laos during the Vietnam War. In the 1980s, the then- Matamoras Elementary School, in a show of support for the family, “adopted” Jack through, The National League of Families, an organization for families of POW/MIAs from the Vietnam War. It took the U.S. Government 36 years from the day his plane was shot down to identify Jack’s remains and return his ashes to the family. His father, Edwin Pearce, had been shot down on a bombing mission over Germany in World War II. Edwin was captured and sent to Stalag 17 in the Austrian Alps. He survived. At the end of the war, . His son, known as Jack, joined the Air Force after graduating from Delaware Valley High School in 1965 . Jack’s family spent many anguishing years trying to determine his status, and his father passed away before his son’s remains were returned to the U.S. But on Wednesday, Jack’s mother, Rosemary, was able to proudly attend the ceremony honoring her son. |
| Special points of interest: Washington DC Bus Trip-Tickets Tribute –Jack Pearce 36 years from the date his plane was shot down. VET CENTER |
| WASHINGTON DC BUS TRIP TO THE WALL We are coordinating a Bus trip to Washington DC, Saturday October 10th Please let Deb Russo know if you’d be interested in receiving a ticket for the bus trip. 570-504-5539 or email vva678@hotmail. com This event will be first come first serve. The bus carries 55 passengers $20 per ticket . Tickets are also available at meetings. |
| Inside this issue: VVA 678 Needs you Veterans Quick reference Calendar of Events Memorial Day Flag replacement Ceremony Officers/Board members Memorial Day Service at St Paul's FLAG RETIREMENT |
| VETERANS QUICK REFERENCE VVA 678 Web site |
| WWW.VVA678.net Our Chapter 678 is now on line. If you would like a VVA email also contact Ralph Please contact Webmaster Ralph Keiper at 570- 350- 7588 Or email Ralph at rlkeiper@104thengineers.com |
| DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS www.va.gov VA BENEFITS 800-827-1000 VA LIFE INSURANCE 800-669-8477 VA EDUCATION BENEFITS 888-442-4551 VA HEALTH CARE BENEFITS 877-222-8387 GULF WAR/AGENT ORANGE HELP LINE 800-749-8387 VA CENTER FOR WOMEN AFFAIRS 202-273-6193 BOARD OF VETERANS APPEALS 202-565-5436 TO GET COPIES OF MILITARY RECORDS 866-272-6272 www.archives.gov DEPT. OF DEFENSE, POW/MIA AFFAIRS 703-699-1169 NATIONAL GULF WAR RESOURCE CTR 800-992-1316 X 162 NATIONAL COALITION FOR HOMELESS VETERANS 800-838-4357 SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION 800-772-1213 www.ssa.gov MY HEALTHY VET www.myhealth.va.gov |
| AVVA Members consist of Wifes, Children, grandchildren, friends, neighbors etc. Pick up a AVVA membership application and join us. |
| Meetings are the 4th Thursday of each month at the VFW- 7:35PM East -Stroudsburg |
| Page 2 |
| PAGE 3 |
| Memorial Day-Parade The VVA 678 once again made the Newspaper as they marched proudly down Main Street in Stroudsburg. The Float was beautiful, Thanks to all that helped in it’s creation and a special Thanks once again to Allan Lippincott for the use of his trailer. Approx 29 members attended and enjoyed the beautiful day in the Poconos. After the parade Marty Barrett had a great BBQ for the group. Plenty to eat and drink. |
| CALENDAR OF EVENTS |
| July 4th Independence Day July 23rd Meeting 7:35pm VFW– East Stbg August 27th Meeting 7:35pm VFW-East Stbg |
| Sept 12th Wilkes Barre VA Carnival Sept Tricky Tray fund raiser October 18th Wilkes Barre VA Bingo Party |
| October 10th Bus trip to Washington DC Nov 8th St Paul's Veterans Ceremony Dec 5th VVA 678 Christmas Party |
| BUS TRIP TO Washington DC OCTOBER 10th TICKETS AVAILABLE SAVE THE DATE Please plan on joining us |
| Flag Replacement Ceremony |
| Several Members attended This years Flag replacement. Thanks to all that participated. Afterwards the group gathered and enjoyed a Brunch together. |
| Page 4 |
| CHAPTER MEETING INFORMATION In the event of the illness or death of a member or in the family of a member, or bad weather, or change of meeting location call one of the phone numbers shown in this newsletter or notify the Chapter Chaplain or for additional meeting information. If you are interested in getting a V V A 678 jacket please contact Marty Barrett 570-895-2461 or email mbarrett@ptd.net |
| The editor reserves the right to edit contributions for size and content. Email: vva678@hotmail.com web address: www.vva678.net Webmaster: Ralph Keiper rlkeiper@104thengineers.com Or 570-350-7588 If your interested in SCRAP booking this Fall Contact Deb Russo vva678@hotmail.com or Linda Kastler wkastler@ptd.net |
| MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE At St. Paul's UCC Church, Swiftwater PA |
| We had an excellent Honor Guard Present for this service. (from left to right) Homer Argot, Tony Fasano, Glen Lippincott, Brain Koehler, Marty Barrett, Matt Herlihy, Big John, Unknown, Doc Polbos |
| Marty Barrett, Matt Herlihy, Homer, Doc |
| Pastor Robert Tutrone |
| Korea War Veteran HOMER ARGOT |
| American Legion Post 859 of Newfoundland, Victor Panzella, Emil Allgeier, Arthur Frey, Lloyd Snell & Ronald Nier. A super group of gentlemen. |
| Missing Man Table Ceremony Donna Lippincott |
| Big John |
| Glen Lippincott Brian Koehler |
| Watch out, I may just catch you in a picture. |
| We morn the loss of a fellow Veteran, Coleen Mussolino passed away on July 2nd. A memorial service is being scheduled for a later date. |
| Matt Herlihy |
| Thanks to Marty and family for the wonderful BBQ |
| C Rations |