The Point
The Official Newsletter of Vietnam Veterans of America
Chapter 172
17 North Liberty Street
Cumberland, Maryland 21502-2316
The First VVA Chapter in the State of Maryland
301-777-7001
1-800-482-VETS
FAX: 301-777-7041
E-mail: vva172@atlanticbbn.net
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CHAPTER 172 OFFICERS AND BOARD FOR 2005-2006
President, Roger Krueger
First Vice-Pres., Steve Parsons
Second Vice-Pres., Jim Malloy
Secretary, Bill Lange
Treasurer, Rick Webb
Board of Directors
Chip Bosley
Dave Shaulis
Don Burkett
Ken Darnay
Nelson Lindeman
Rusty Dennison
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Nominating Committee
Ed Parker, Bob Lewis Doug Arrowood, Dave Tuttle
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Comm. Service..Chip Bosley
Constitution…Steve Parsons
ETABO…Don Burkett
Finance...William Lange
Govt. Affairs… William Lange
Membership…Ken Darnay
Minority Affairs... Dave Shaulis
Vets Affairs... Rusty Dennison
Veterans Benefits...Bobby Cook
Women Vets... Harlan Smith
Agent Orange…Robert Cook
Scholarship...Rusty Dennison
Grunt Shirt…Harry Bosley
Health and Care…Robert Cook
Incarcerated...Charlie Pennington
Museum…Jim Feagles
Chap.Photog…Charlie Pennington
Newsletter…Steve Parsons
POW/MIA…Don Burkett
Reflections…Jim Malloy
SPOC...Steve Parsons
Social...Jim Malloy
Vets Assistance…William Lange
Web Site…Nelson Lindeman
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Address to the Chapter
February 2006
I count it a privilege to address the Chapter. It has stood in this City, and State, and it is perhaps accurate to add this Nation, as a group of veterans interested in the problems of veterans. The privilege of addressing you is great.
Sometimes, my friends, particularly in years such as these, the hand of discouragement falls upon us. It seems that things are in a rut, fixed, and settled, that it has grown old and tired, and very much out of joint. This is, my friends, the mood of depression.
But then we look around us in Chapter 172 and everything tells us that we are wrong. Chapter 172 is new. It is in the process of change and development. Like a home full of children, it is growing in leaps and bounds. The faces are changing and becoming more plentiful. The moods have shifted from questionable to acceptable. My friends are greeting my friends. Our members are accepting our members. We as one, are accepting each other. I would not have you feel that I regard this in any sense a new chapter. But never have I felt the arresting thought of the change and development more than here, where the old and the new, are merging together.
But more than that, I appreciate that the membership of this Chapter consists of men and women who are thinking in terms beyond the immediate present, beyond their own immediate tasks, and beyond their own individual interests. I want to invite you, therefore, to consider with me some of the relationships of Chapter committees that go deeply into our daily lives, our continued happiness, our future, and our security. On questions relating to these things members have differed, and for time immemorial it is probable that honest members will continue to differ.
In order to meet these epic challenges it is time for members to “re-enlist” as members.
I would like to recognize some of the people who have made outstanding contributions to the chapter over the years – including the many volunteers who have in the past and presently now serve the membership.
The founders of our Chapter who have helped people make informed decisions of vital issues in our organization. Rather than having decisions that shaped the future in smoke-filled rooms, or by a voting populace swayed by misinformation. A tradition of volunteerism became the backbone of the Chapter, through active involvement of hundreds of Chapter members and hard working volunteers.
I would like to honor the past presidents by listing their names in order of service to the Chapter. David R. Dom, Interim President, Steve Parsons, 1984, 1985, Brian Hall, 1986, Bob Adams, 1987, Harry Bosley, 1988, Judson Brown, 1989, Bob Adams, 1990, Mike Noonan, 1990, Tom Bratten, 1991, 1992, Bill Wright, 1993, 1994, 1995, Bruce Whitaker, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, Randy Golden, 2002, 2003, Roger L Krueger, 2004, 2005.
This is the time “to give thanks”, a time “to remember”, our founders, and predecessors, and a time to think about the future of Chapter 172. Whether we are members, volunteers, directors, or officers we are rising to the challenges we now face.
Now is the opportune moment. It represents the best and most enlightened thought on our problems that has been reached so far. It embodies a new idea in our work, “unity of effort”, which is modern. It will render impartial assistance to all more effectively, with results that are more fruitful. Opportunity is a capricious lady who knocks at every door but once, and if the door isn’t opened quickly, she passes on never to return.
The Chapter Home is a place for 714 members to go for companionship, council, and camaraderie. The Chapter Home is also open for use by the membership. The daily business of Reflections is conducted Monday thru Friday in our Chapter office.
The Board of Directors and Officers has secured the Chapter Finances of our organization, through the guidance of the finance committee. A plan was developed in 2004 to secure our investments from a volatile high-risk market. This was completed in 2005 with the transfer of funds to lower-risk investments in our immediate area. The move has been completed and was profitable. The accountability of Chapter funds has been completely realigned with the help of our new accountants. The office staff has been secured with Barb Smith our full time Office Manager, and Debbie Kriner our part time employee.
Our membership has increased from 585 in early 2004 to 714 in early 2006. We have grown to be the second largest chapter in the organization. The retention of members has increased through the efforts of the membership chairs diligence in contacting delinquent members personally and thru correspondence. The increase in new members speaks for itself. Members are accepting members, for being themselves.
The Officers and Board of Directors monitor the daily operation of business in the Chapter. I would like to take a moment and thank the Chapter 1st Vice President, Steve Parsons for his continued support of Veterans, their issues, and their needs. I thank the 2nd Vice President, Jim Malloy for his aggressive approach as Reflections Chair. Through his efforts, the Chapter is once again close to self-sustaining. I thank the Secretary, William Lange for his efforts as Finance Chair. Through his guidance and continuous information, the finances have been made more secure, I thank the Treasurer, Richard Webb, for his dedication in changing the Chapters accountability procedures. Again I thank the Officers of Chapter 172.
I thank the following Board of Directors for their independent views and argumentative debate, which has enhanced the decisive ability to channel our donated funds in the Veterans, and Veterans Issues direction. To give support to the Veteran and their needs above all else. I thank Rusty Dennison, Ken Darnay, Don Burkett, Nelson Lindeman, Harry Bosley, and Dave Shaulis. I thank you for your continued efforts and support of the Chapter.
There are numerous Committee Chairs to thank and be proud of. They have worked hard to support the issues of the Chapter, and daily functions of operation. I thank Harry Bosley for his efforts as the Chair of Community Service, Housing, and Grunt Shirt committees. I thank Steve Parsons for the guidance he provides as Chair of the Constitution Committee, Editor of the Point, and Single Point of Contact to National Headquarters. I thank Don Burkett for chairing the ETABO, and POW/MIA Committees. I thank William Lange for his guidance as Finance Chair and his commitment to Chair the Veteran Assistance, and Government Affairs Committees. I thank Ken Darnay for his Chairmanship of the Membership Committee. I thank Dave Shaulis as Chair of the Minority Affairs Committee. I thank Eddie Parker as Chair of the Nominating Committee. I thank Nelson Lindeman chair of Public Affairs and Chair of the new Web Page Committee. I thank Rusty Dennison Chair of Veterans Affairs and Chair of both Scholarship Committees to include Frostburg and
As with all organizations, we would not be operational without the support of our volunteers. I personally thank them for their efforts and sacrifices made throughout the years. I thank the afore mentioned Past and Present Officers, Board of Directors, Committee Chairs, Volunteers, and what makes all this possible, The Membership. Without you, none of this would be possible, thank You.
Again I say, now is the time for members to “Re-Enlist” as members in Chapter 172, thank you.
President
Chapter 172
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JUST A REMINDER...., all cell phone numbers are
being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sale
calls. ...YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS...
To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone:
888-382-1222. It is the National Do Not Call Registry. It will only take a
minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years.
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U.S. Army raises maximum age for enlistment
By Will Dunham
Jan 18 (Reuters) -
The
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Sick Call
Don “Redhorse” Wilhide Chapter 172-life member who lives in N.M. has been battling cancer of the esophagus we wish him all the best and a speedy recovery.
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Chapter Events
CHAPTER ELECTIONS. This is the second official notice Chapter 172 elections will be held April 6. If you are considering tossing your hat into the ring see Eddie Parker or Davis Tuttle and put it in writing prior to the March general membership meeting to have your name placed on the ballot. Otherwise, you will have to be nominated from the floor on election night.
The next big event will be the Chapter picnic in June once again to be at Hidden Springs Campground, more on this later.
The second week in March will see several Chapter members going to
We’ll see what comes from this event.
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Color Guard News
The color guard is preparing for the upcoming parade and dedication season. The guard now has in excess of forty members. At their annual meeting, Joe Brennen has been returned as commander for another year. I am not sure but I think that rates congratulations, I think.
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Chapter 172 membership
Compared to national
There are currently 630 Chapters nationally. Chapter 172 and 451 are the only Chapters with 600 plus members. There are no others Chapters in excess of 500 members. There are only four chapters in excess of 400 members. Chapter 451 in
As you can see we are only 80 members short of being the largest chapter in the VVA, If only 12% of our current members brought in one new member over and above our current growth we could surpass Baltimore.
Look for some incentives that may be coming in future weeks that could help us reach the number one spot.
Submitted by
Ken Darnay
BOD, Membership Chair.
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Criticism
Recently I have complained about the conduct of the war and the cutbacks in the VA health system, much of what I wrote was comments that I have heard from the membership. Well it seems that someone in
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Our Chapter, Now and Then
Editorial Opinion
It’s been a bunch of years since we started this VVA thing. Chapter 172 has been very fortunate not just in a monetary sense but we have had quality leadership from the very beginning. Yes, we have had our petty fights and bitches, but we have not let it split us apart as a Chapter. We have taken criticism on about whom we have helped and whom we have not. But, we have always taken care of our veterans first and foremost. The leadership of the Chapter has always been good stewards of the Chapter’s assets.
As we move into a new era as a group, that era being retirement and the so-called ‘golden years’ we have to look inward as a Chapter. Over the last few years donations to outside organizations had been greatly restricted, the philanthropic of VVA 172 are for the most part in remission. It is time for VVA 172 as a group to look inward to helping each other. Let me give you an example. If you have seen me lately you probably have noticed I am not the gazelle that I once was. The last time I had a load of firewood delivered a half dozen members showed up to help me unload and stack it on my porch. More recently Chapter member Marty Kolb CPA helped several members with their tax returns. Members have visited other members in the hospital, sometimes that hospital is not local or in Martinsburg. These visits were not just because they are friends but because they are brothers and sisters. For many of us 172 has become our extended families on whom we can rely and trust to do the right thing. Just like our real families we also have a few black sheep, but they are still brothers.
I like the direction the Chapter has been going and what we have evolved into, I also have noticed as we age more people are using the big soft chairs at the Chapter home.
Steve Parsons
February 2006
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Chapter Meetings
Chapter meetings are the first Thursday of each month at 20:00 hours at the Chapter Home 17 North Liberty Street, Cumberland, Maryland. Boards of Directors meetings are the first Thursday beginning at 18:00 hours and the third Wednesday of each month at 18:00 hours. All chapter members are encouraged to attend both the membership and Board of Directors meetings.
email the editor Steve Parsons … s-eparsons@atlanticbb.net
Disclaimer The newsletter “The Point” is a monthly publication of Chapter 172. The viewpoints or opinions expressed in this publication are solely those of the writer and are meant only for informational and entertainment purposes. These opinions do not represent the official policy of VVA National or Chapter 172. All unsigned articles are by the editor; all other submissions will have the contributor’s name as a byline.