| SITREP |
| Pocono Chapter 678 |
Special points of interest: Election results Memorial Day Annual Vietnam Veteran Reunion-Kokomo, Indiana |
VVA 678 Web site
Where’s Waldo
Veterans Quick Reference
Washington DC Bus Trip
Welcome New Members
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
Calendar of Events
Angel Award
Items Avail
| Inside this issue: |
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| The Situation Report (Sitrep) For the Operations of VVA Pocono Chapter 678 of Northeast Pennsylvania. |
| RESULTS of Elections April 23rd, 2009 Elections were held at the located on Fawn Road just off rt 447, East Stroudsburg VFW Post 2540 President: Glen Lippincott Vice President: Joe Clampet Secretary: Marty Barrett Treasurer: Marty Barrett Chaplain: Doc Polbos Board of Directors: Tony Fasano Matt Herlihy Ralph Keiper Tom Bremer Brian Koehler Doc Polbos |
Memorial Day is a United States Federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (on May 25 in 2009). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in military service to their country. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the civil war), it was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action. The alternative name of "Memorial Day" was first used in 1882. It did not become more common until after World War II, and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967 . |
| 27th Annual Vietnam Veteran Reunion. Kokomo, Indiana September 18, 19, 20 |
| The oldest Annual Vietnam Veterans reunion in the Nation will be held on September 18, 19 & 20th 2009, at Kokomo, Indiana 8 miles east of US 31 on State Road 26. Food vendors - military vendors - camp sites available- Not for profit Veteran organizations - ceremonies - military displays reunions within the reunion - a salute to middle east Veterans. Sunday Church services with chaplain Dennis Chapman For Reunion & Reunion camping information call 765- 628-0297. Entertainment, Speakers and Events subject to change. FOR INFORMATION CALL VETERANS PARK AT 765 628 0297 or email: vveterns@aol.com http://www.hcvvo. org/Events.htm Places to stay: Camping, RV’s and there are local hotels. |
Meetings are the 4th Thursday of each month at the VFW-7:35PM East-Stroudsburg |
| AVVA Members consist of Wifes, Children, grandchildren, friends, neighbors etc. Pick up a AVVA membership application and join us. |
| Welcome New Members MEMORIAL DAY PARADE WASHINGTON BUS TRIP |
| MAY 25TH 2009 We will have a float available to ride for those that cannot walk. Monday May 25 meet 8:00 -9:00AM Assembly area: Lackawanna and Burson St. East Stroudsburg, PA (1 block East of E-Burg high school- Cortland St., Behind Pizza Hut) |
| Welcome to our new A V V A members Anne Lesh—AVVA Cindy Polbos– AVVA Anna Russo—Avva Leslie Russo– AVVA Marie Ellingsgard-AVVA Anthony Russo—AVVA John Devine– AVVA Welcome to our new V V A member Robert Davis– VVA Albert Decker –VVA Rena Patrick—VVA Bob Patrick-VVA |
We are coordinating a Bus trip to Washington DC, October 10th Please let Deb Russo know if you’d be interested in receiving a ticket for the bus trip. Phone 570-504-5539 or emai vva678@hotmail.com This event will be first come first serve. The bus carries 55 passengers $20 per ticket deadline for members is June 25 at the VVA meeting. |
VETERANS QUICK REFERENCE VVA 678 Web site
| 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 800-838-4357 VETERANS SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION 800-772-1213 www.ssa.gov MY HEALTHY VET www.myhealth.va.gov |
WWW.VVA678.net Our Chapter 678 is now on line. If you would like a VVA email address contact Ralph Please contact Webmaster Ralph Keiper at 570- 350- 7588 Or email Ralph at rlkeiper@104thengineers.com Find Waldo on the web site and win a prize, clues are on the main page of the site. |
| ANGEL AWARD PRESENTED TO BETTY EVANS |
| Chapter President Glen Lippincott had the honor to present the Angel Award to Betty Evans on behalf of the PA State Council AVVA President; Linda Pavkovich. The Angel Award is given to AVVA members who render exceptional service to the State Council AVVA & VVA. Betty has served this Chapter and has been a State council delegate representing our Chapter AVVA members for many years. Betty Evans is the widow of our beloved past-President Hank “Cowboy” Evans |
| CALENDAR OF EVENTS |
| May 16th Cemetery flag placement– meet at VFW Post 2540 @ 9am May 24th Memorial Day Veterans Service 9:30am St Paul’s UCC, Swiftwater May 24th Rolling Thunder http://www.rollingthunder1. com May 25th- Memorial Day Parade –meet 8-9 am behind Pizza Hut East .Stroudsburg |
| June 25th –5 PM Flag Retirement Ceremony and BBQ before meeting June 25th 7:35 PM Chapter 678 Meeting, VFW Post 2540 |
| June 25th 7:35 PM Chapter 678 Meeting, VFW Post 2540 Dec 12th– Veterans Christmas Party VMAC Wilkes-Barre |
| Memorial Day Parade May 25 2009 More information will be forthcoming SAVE THE DATE Please plan on joining us in the parade. |
| ITEMS AVAILABLE |
| We have a Brand new Bath Chair with folding back and a brand new walker if any member needs one of these items please contact by email vva678@hotmail.com |
| Tony Fasano 917-705-2398 Matt Herlihy 570-269-5658 Brian Koehler 570-350-3917 Howard Polbos 610-381-2241 Tom Bremer 570-906-4994 Ralph Keiper 570-350-7588 |
| BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
| AVVA CONTACT Deb Russo 570-504-5539 |
| OFFICERS President: Glen Lippincott 570-992-6038 Vice President: Joe Clampet 570-588-3782 Secretary: Marty Barrett 570-895-2461 Treasurer: Marty Barrett 570-895-2461 Chaplain: Howard "Doc" Polbos 610-381-2241 |
| CHAPTER MEETING INFORMATION 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 VVA 678 jacket please contact Marty Barrett 570-895-2461 e-mail mbarrett@ptd.net |
| Editor: Deb Russo Contributions and ideas are always welcome. The editor reserves the right to edit contributions for size and content. e-mail: 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 or Linda Kastler |
| 1st NATIONAL VIETNAM VETERANS DAY |
| March 29th, 2009 |
| This was the first year since it has become a law June 2008 that March 29th is Vietnam Veterans Day. Our Chapter celebrated this day With a Breakfast at Perkins in Stroudsburg, PA. We had a great turn out, 22 members attended. We were privileged that one of our members, Colleen Mussolino who is recovering from cancer Surprised us with her attendance. Glen Lippincott President of the VVA678 presented Colleen Mussolino with a dozen Yellow Roses. |
| Ray Russo |
| Colleen Mussolino |
| Glen Lippincott, Coleen, Joe Clampet |
| Thanks to all that attended the Vietnam Veterans Breakfast to celebrate a long awaited holiday! Once again it was great getting together. Great to see Colleen once again. Hope to see Colleen more often. |
| Left– right: Howard “Doc” Polbos, Matt Herlihy, Marty Barrett and Pocono District, BSA Chairman: Glen Lippincott |
| VVA Chapter 678 Sponsors District Eagle Award June 4th, 2009: The Vietnam Veterans of America, Pocono Chapter 678 presented the first check for three hundred dollars to the Pocono District of the Minsi Trails Council at their District Recognition Dinner. The District has a tradition of presenting a statue of an eagle to each Scout who attains the rank of Eagle Scout. This tradition began with Mr. Clair Wallingford, a Cubmaster in Reeders, PA for over forty years. Mr. Wallingford was a World War II veteran who was also active in teaching students about the world war. The Pocono District had been struggling to continue the tradition after Mr. Wallingford, who was beloved by many, passed away. To honor the memory of a fellow veteran, Mr. Wallingford, Pocono Chapter 678 has committed to fully fund the award with periodic finances as necessary. |