Santa Rosa, California, Chapter 223
	Tampa, Florida, Chapter 787
	DeWitt County (Texas) Chapter 1029

IN SERVICE

Sumner County, Tennessee, Chapter 240 and its president, Barry Rice, recently were recognized for their efforts In Service to America with an honorary lifetime membership in the National Guard Association of Tennessee. The honor goes to individuals and organizations “that have gone above the call of duty to help veterans and servicemen,” Chapter member Ernie Grinder told the Tennessean newspaper. “Barry works 100 percent, 24/7 to help veterans.” The biggest honor, Rice said, “is to be part of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 240 and all the services we offer to veterans. I’m very honored to be president of Chapter 240, but I’m only one member.”

Frederick, Maryland, Chapter 304 recently received nearly $3,800 as a result of a fundraising event put on by the Buckeystown Pub in nearby Buckeystown, Maryland. The pub’s owner, Pete Kimmel, and the manager, Mary Carroll, recruited guest bartenders for the event, as well as sponsors including the local Harley Davidson outlet. Chapter President Gary D. Compher presented the pub with a Chapter Certificate of Appreciation for sponsoring the event. The Chapter plans to use the funds to support needy local veterans and families during the 2012 holiday season.

Estan “Stan” Villarreal, Jr., who organized and founded Mundelein, Illinois, Chapter 714, was named Illinois Veteran of the Month in April by the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs at ceremonies at the Capt. James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago. Villarreal, a retired police officer, spends countless hours in service to his fellow veterans and to active-duty military personnel. “Stan Villareal is an exceptional Illinois veteran who continues to put the needs of others above his own,” said the state director of Veterans’ Affairs, Erica Borggren. “His dedication to family, community, and fellow veterans is truly inspirational and deserving of IDVA’s highest honor.”

Charlie Klein recently was named Dean K. Phillips Memorial Chapter 227 in Arlington, Virginia’s first Unsung Hero. In addition to serving on the Chapter’s Board of Directors since he joined VVA in the late 1980s, Klein has done outstanding work for the Chapter in its programs for veterans and active-duty military. He reviews all assistance requests for the Chapter from veterans and others. He also has been a regular participant at Chapter booths at local fairs, manages the Chapter’s annual DMZ to Delta silent auction with great success, and works diligently in support of the Chapter’s Vince Kaspar Excellence in the Arts program.

Greater Cleveland, Ohio, Chapter 15 and West Shore Chapter 249 co-sponsored ceremonies marking the 37th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War on April 30 in downtown Cleveland at the Veterans Memorial Plaza. The event included a reading of the names of the 418 Cuyahoga County residents who died in the Vietnam War. A representative of the local Vietnamese community, Toan Huynh, a former South Vietnamese Navy officer, took part in the ceremonies. Sean Ennis of Chapter 15 gave the opening remarks. Presidents Steve Klosowski of Chapter 15 and Bob Potts of Chapter 249 and Alan Valenzeno, District 6 Director of the Buckeye State Council, also took part in the ceremonies.

Western Massachusetts Chapter One-Eleven in Springfield held its first Bingo event March 26 at the Massachusetts State Veterans’ Home in Holyoke. “It was a big success,” Chapter President Jack Kelly said, “thanks to these members: Al Shaw, Josh Morin, Jim Frenette, Paul Chrzan, Larry White, Gerry LaValley, Al Sturges, Dan Lamontagne, Ron and Angie Sylvain, and Bob and Linda Lewko.” Kelly’s wife Louise contributed twenty-dozen home-made cookies.

Indian River Chapter 1038 in Vero Beach, Florida, which was formed in 2010, was named the 47th recipient of the Dyer Difference Award from Dyer Chevrolet and Dyer Mazda Subaru in Vero Beach. The award, which includes a $3,000 check, goes to a nonprofit organization in Indian River County that is making a difference in the community. “We are happy to be in the position to support our local chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America,” Dyer Chevrolet’s Tatiana Dyer said.

Five members of Kentuckiana Chapter 454 in Louisville, Kentucky, were honored for their outstanding volunteer work April 14 at the VA Voluntary Service Appreciation Dinner at the Robley Rex VA Medical Center in Louisville. Dona Schicker and Robert Keller received plaques for donating more than 7,500 hours of service. Ray Goings received a 1,000-hour pin and Ed Woodrick received a 100-hour pin, and Dale Winningham was recognized for his work with last year’s Christmas program. All told, Chapter members have contributed 32,490 hours of volunteer service at the VA Medical Center in the last ten years.

Jon Panarese Chapter 654 in North Carolina hosted Vietnam Recognition Day April 28 at the Onslow Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which is located at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville. The ceremonies included a 21-gun salute, the playing of “Taps,” a wreath laying, and remarks by several speakers, including Marine Lt. Gen. G.R. Christmas.

Detroit, Michigan, Chapter 9 recently unveiled its new Chapter blog page, https://sites.google.com/site/vvachapter9/ which supplements the Chapter’s website to provide up-to-the-minute updates on Chapter activities, along with other info for Chapter members.

Liberty Bell Chapter 266 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, recently hosted two classes of juniors from a local high school at the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Chapter members spoke to the students about the 646 Philadelphia men who died in Vietnam and whose names are on the memorial, about the memorial itself, and about the war. “The students thanked us and walked away knowing a little bit more about the Vietnam War and the 646 who died,” said Chapter member Stephen Uchniat.

Congratulations to Heart of America Chapter 317 in Missouri, which celebrated its 25th anniversary on May 28 In Service to America.

MEMORIALS

Martin County, Florida, Chapter 1041 co-hosted a brick-laying ceremony March 30 at the new Veterans Memorial Park in Stuart, Florida. The ceremony featured an inscribed brick honoring Vietnam veteran Henry Daniel Schmidt, who died of colon cancer in 1997. Schmidt’s daughter, granddaughter, and sister attended the ceremonies. The Chapter has a program that provides commemorative bricks and special mini-bricks with matching inscriptions for $75, along with the dedication ceremony.

Kettle Moraine Chapter 448 in Newburg, Wisconsin, recently began a program to enhance the Veterans Memorial at Freedom Park in Newburg, which was dedicated in 2010. The Chapter is handling the sale of Freedom Park Legacy Stones that will be installed around the memorial. Each granite stone will have the name of a veteran or active-duty service member inscribed on it. “By purchasing a Freedom Park Legacy Stone,” the Chapter notes, “you will help the Veterans Memorial and have a veteran remembered for many years to come.”

VETS CONNECT

Several members of Redwood Empire Chapter 223 in Santa Rosa, California, came to the aid of a young married couple, Tuesday and David Gallardo, both Air Force veterans. The Gallardos and their 19-month-old son “were experiencing a string of misfortunes,” Chapter Board member Charles Earthman said. “They had no income, they were down on their luck, and were in need of a helping hand.” After learning of the couple’s situation from the local Vet Center Clinic, Chapter members and other veterans in the community pitched in to set the family up in their own apartment and furnished it. VVA’s Founding Principle is “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another,” Earthman said. “The veterans of Chapter 223 take that creed seriously.”

Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Chapter 862 and the Beaver County AVVA Chapter hosted the 11th annual Support Our Troops Rally June 10. The event included a free community picnic, music, and entertainment. Donations were accepted and the funds were turned over to the Yellow Ribbon Girls, a Western Pennsylvania group that sends care packages to American service personnel overseas.

Fresno, California, Chapter 933 is supporting a therapeutic riding program designed for returning veterans and disabled children at Heart of the Horse Therapy Ranch in Clovis, California. The Chapter, working with the Fresno VA Medical Center, supports the effort, which provides therapy rides and other activities with horses for new veterans with emotional and physical problems. The Chapter has contributed funds to Heart of the Horse and has helped deliver hay bales to the ranch. Members also have volunteered to work at the ranch.

South West Iowa, Chapter 798 recently donated $300 to the Council Bluffs chapter of Iowa Cookies Crumbs, a nonprofit founded in 2007 that bakes and sends boxes of homemade cookies and other treats, along with letters of thanks, to American service members overseas.

SCHOLARSHIPS

The results are in for the 17th annual South Bay, California, Chapter 53 Scholarship Program. Three high school seniors were chosen on the basis of essays that dealt with a U.S. service member in a war: Jeffrey Villafana of Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance; Anique Villegas of Redondo Union High School; and Chelsea Kiessya of Hawthorne Mathematics and Science Academy. The three were awarded $1,000 scholarships and attended the Chapter’s May meeting with their parents and read their essays to the Chapter members.