The Pocono Chapter 678
was formed in the early part of 1993 and
was chartered by the National
Organization in the fall of that same year. The V.V.A.
Is congressionally chartered with an IRS status of
501-C-19, a not-for-profit veteran's service
organization.

Our local chapter has grown to a current strength
of about 100 members. Usual meeting attendance
is about 20 - 15 persons.
We share the vision and mission of our National
organization using our membership to:

Aggressively advocate on issues important to veterans.

Provide programs and services that improve the well
being of all veterans and their families.

Serve our communities.

Support the next generation of America’s war veterans.

Create a positive public perception of the Vietnam-era veteran.

During our existence we have been involved in many ways in
support of the above mission.
Our membership has participated in and financially supported,
the American Heart Association
"Heart Walk'
and the American Cancer Society's
'Relay for Life'.

We have provided
Christmas presents
and
Dinner
for needy families.
Several of our members have spoken and served at
Veteran's Day and Memorial Day events and religious
observances.
Often our Chapter builds a float based on a theme
pertinent to veteran's issues for display in several parades.

Our membership has distributed some
300 poinsettia
plants to nursing homes in the
Pocono region
and the
Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC)
in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Other ongoing yearly projects
at the VAMC include our
Christmas party and Bingo game,
participation at the
Summer Carnival,
as well as our sponsorship of a
Coffee Hour.

Some of our members have provided transportation
services to fellow veterans. On one occasion we
helped an unemployed Vietnam veteran by providing
a tank of fuel oil to preserve his home and family
from freezing during the dead of winter. We sponsored
a  Supper with Santa spaghetti dinners and gifts for
underprivileged children.  

Our members provide a unique in school presentation
on the
Vietnam War experience
to area high schools
and college history students. We also provide a
Vietnam War 'living history' display at specific events.

As a special event our Chapter organized and coordinated,
with various other veterans groups, a
POW/ MIA Recognition Day ceremony
where an endangered bird of prey was released
symbolically representing our joy for those prisoners
of all wars that have returned and hope for freedom
for those yet unaccounted for.
We promoted and participated in a regional
Watchfire Vigil
for
POW/ MIA public awareness.

In 1999 our Chapter brought in the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial (mobile)
also known as the "Moving Wall' to Tannersville,
The “Moving Wall" is a one-half scale version of
the national memorial in Washington D.C.

We have helped fellow veterans in need.
Our Chapter has received significant recognition
for its efforts including numerous trophies and
plaques for parade awards.
We have received a framed print of the
POW/ MIA
stamp from the
US Postal Service
for our activities supporting that issue.

Our Chapter has been the recipient of many personal
letters of thanks.
We publish the
Chapter newsletter the Sitrep
which is the
“situation report”
for our chapter operations.

In 1995 the VVA PA State Council recognized us
for Newsletter of the Year and Chapter of the Year.

In 2001 we created a
scholarship program
for children from veterans' families.
We financially supported the
Blue Star Mothers
organization, a support group of mothers
whose children are serving their country in
the military, and encouraged/helped them start a
local chapter in 2003.
We covered the costs of the
2003 ice skating Christmas party
for the families of the
733rd Transport Co. Deployed to Iraq.
When we have knowledge of area deployed service
persons, we have an
“Adopt a Platoon”
program to send needed items to the unit.
We participate in the
Operation Touch of Home
to send over 2,000 lbs. of holiday items
to 77 deployed troops.  

Our Chapter has gained the reputation of doing
everything with style and savoir-faire. We would look
forward to having you join us!  
Your spouse or significant other is always welcome
and encouraged to attend all Chapter functions.
The Associates of the Vietnam Veterans of America (AVVA) is
open to anyone who shares our vision and wishes to help
accomplish our mission.

To all our brothers and sister veterans:
Welcome Home!

Call Howard (DOC) Polbos,
Membership Committee Chairman, at
610-381-2241.
Or email:
hpolbos@yahoo.com
Pocono Chapter 678