The Spirit of ‘776 VIETNAM VETERANS

March 2019 OF AMERICA

CHAPTER 776

“Never Again Will One

Meeting at Bettendorf Library Generation of Veterans
Abandon Another.”
March 27 at 7:00 P.M.
Volume 23 Issue 3

Veteran
Service Officers
&
Service
Coordinators
Clarke Barnes
309 944-3674
Ed Gaudet
563 343-9456
Ben Enlow
563 326-8750
Ernest Ledjte
563 785-6182
Tom Lemon
563 359-3201
Greg Paulline
563-650-3055
Jack Rhinehart
641-745-9097

Honor Guard
John Lavelle
563-355-4213
Denny Queal
563 340-9194

Web Master
Roger Granbois
roger@granbois.net

Officers and Board of Directors

President Ed Gaudet 563 343-9456 Dir. Ernest Ledjte 563-785-6182
Vice President Bruce Cheek 563 349-4129 Dir. Sonny Kempf 563-505-1609
Treasurer Harold Hansen 563 505-9674 Dir. Bill Mathews 563-355-5618
Secretary Ed Grillot 563-210-5355 Dir. Steve Satre 563-289-1776
Trustee Greg Paulline 563 650-3055 Dir. Larry Witt 563-579-6521
 February 27, 2019 Minutes
VVA Chap. 776
Call to Order –Meeting called to order at 7pm by President Ed Gaudet. Officers present, Treasurer
Harold Hansen and Secretary Ed/Chris Grillot. Pledge of Allegiance said and moment of silence for
POW/MIA and those still serving in harm’s way across the globe.
Introductions were given.
Secretary Report – Motion made by Larry Witt, seconded by Ernest Ledtje to accept minutes as
published in newsletter. Carried
Treasurer Report – Financial report given.
Finance Report – a) National VVA conference is July 12 – 20. Motion made by Greg Paulline, se-
conded by Larry Witt to approve $3600, $1200 each for travel expenses for 3 VVA members to at-
tend the National VVA conference. Carried. b) Motion made by Greg Paulline, seconded by Tom
Torrey to provided $250 sponsorship for the Quad Cities Veterans Experience Action Center. Car-
ried. Event is July 19 & 20, 2019 at Saint Ambrose University. c) A table will be set up at the Family
Caregiver March 23, St. Ambrose University. Cost is $35. d) Greg Paulline reported a program thru
Amazon called Amazon Smiles Foundation is set up to donate .5% to State VVA when purchases are
made thru the foundation.
State President Report – State Council meeting is March 9. There are 8 VVA chapters in Iowa. The
state VVA is working on applying for a National VVA grant.
Correspondence – Received requests for sponsorship for NAMI and Quad Cities Veterans Outreach
Center. No action taken.
Coin Stories – Stories told by Darrell Thode, Ernest Ledtje and Jim Perry.
Membership – 23 AVVA, 210 which includes 14 regular members.
Scholarship - Reminder that the deadline for applying for VVA 776 scholarship in March 31. Schol-
arship applications are available on website VVA776.org.
Honor Guard – The Honor Guard has three upcoming funerals. John Bishop visitation is tomorrow
at Weerts Funeral Home 4-8pm
New Business - a) Elections will be held at April meeting. Ron Sebastian in charge of requesting
candidates for the positions. b) Holiday Baskets – Darrell Thode reported 28 baskets were given last
year. Darrell hopes to be able to give out thirty baskets this year. c) PX Items – Bill Church reports
few items available for purchase. d) Membership Change – Only option for membership is Life at
$50. Officially started October 2018. e) Motion made by Ernest Ledtje, seconded by Joe Wessenburg
to rescind motion to set aside $5000 with DAV to assist Coast Gard Members during Federal shut-
down. Carried. f) Hospital Visit – Next visit is April 15. Discussion held regarding budgeted funds
for hospital visit nearly exhausted. Idea of giving cards instead of hats. Tabled until next meeting.
g) Clover Sale – Discussion of having clover sale with funds dedicated to sending State VVA Presi-
dent to National VVA Conference. Consider doing in conjunction with All Vets Memorial. Discus-
sion of state VVA paying President’s expense to National VVA conference. Next Clover sale is April
27 in Iowa City. h) New VVA clinic in Davenport will have ribbon cutting ceremony April 1 at 1pm.
i) Honor Flight – First Honor Flight for 2019 is April 25.
Adjourn – Meeting adjourned at 8:07pm