QuAD CITIES CHAPTER 299 WWW.QCVVA299.

ORG
We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would harm us.George Orwell

jANuARY 2013

CHAPTER 299
VETS IN CRISIS HOTLINE 1.800.273.8255 John Katherman 309.799.7995 johndar2@mchsi.com Vice President-Terry Lynch barb.terry.lynch@gmail.com Secretary-Ron Roman 563.359.3234 ronzor01@Live.com Treasurer-Terry Kramer 309.799.7763 kramertn@sbcglobal.net Membership - Larry Tschappat 309.788.2729 let289@hotmail.com Veteran Service Officers (VSO) Al Butch Huber-VSO 309.721.1453 Steve Lowther-VSO 309.737.2954 VVA National Offices 800.882.1316 VA Outpatient Clinic Bettendorf 563.332.8528 VA Med Cent IA City 319.338.0581 & 800.346.1843 IL Dept of Veterans Affairs VSO Dan Bebber 309.793.1460 RI Cty Vet Ast & VSO Todd Harlow 309.558.3546 VET Cent - Fred Wyemouth 309.762.6954 IL Vet Employ Reps Ken Lilly & John Tolle 309.764.8731 IA Vet Affairs & VSO David Woods 563.326.8723 Honor Guard Co-Captains Dennis Laird - Funerals 309.278.3452 Andy Anderson - Parades C: 563.940.5980 C. Norris & J. Kerr IA Workforce Vet Reps, 563.445.3200

A MessAge FroM Your President

As I get ready for 2013 to make its long awaited entrance, I am compiling my list of much needed resolutions to help me be all that I can be in the New Year. They are as follows. #1 Dont wait till the last minute to submit my Presidents Message to STS. #2 Schedule more interesting programs for our general monthly meetings. #3 Try to be more active in chapter activities especially Vetto-Vet, Holiday Baskets, and Hog Roasts. #4 Recruit at least 10 new members to Chapter 299. #5 Take advantage of more veterans assistance programs offered through the VA. #6 Attend a reunion of my division, battalion, or company from Vietnam this year. #7 Order my display box from Medals of America that I have been putting off since last year. #8 Register to be an escort for the Honor Flight of the Quad Cities. #9 Recruit at least two teams for our upcoming Trivia Night. #10 Turn over the reigns of Chapter 299 to a new president who is highly qualified and will continue to help make our chapter the best in the Midwest! I hope 2013 is your best year yet. John Katherman President Vietnam Veterans #299

upcoming chapter 299 events PRESIDENTS MESSAGE; PAGE 8 ARMY a message from barrie gibson INSIDE: MiNuteS ANd MOtiONS; PAge 2 albracht receives third silver star HeRO ANd NFL LegeNd; PAge 9 WWW.

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VVA299 BoArd of dIrectors meetIng - 13 noV 2012 VVA299 memBershIp meetIng - 20 noV 2012
presented by Wal-Mart and the presentation of the Colors at The Fountains. Vet2Vet Paul Frenchy Eaves reported receiving a letter from the Iowa State Healthcare System of the VA in appreciation for visits. Puzzles were donated and Present were: John went over well on the last Katherman, Bob Brooks, trip. Next visit will be to Ray Hamilton, Paul the Good Samaritan Home Frenchy Eaves, Terry Kramer, Dan Carothers, Ron in Davenport on 12/12/12 meeting at 2:00 P.M. there. Roman, Dennis Laird, and Treasurers Report Terry Jim Loveless. Kramer reported financial results. Committee Reports Call to order by President John Katherman with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence remembering our fallen and missing Brothers and Sisters. Membership VVA is at 382, 207 Life Members; AVVA is at 42 with 12 Life Members Charities Bob Brooks brought up donating to Toys for Tots if donation stays local. Frenchy move, Jim Loveless 2nd that we donate the recommended $200 to Toys for Tots; motion passed. Honor Guard Dennis Laird turned in funds from Honorariums and other donations to the Treasurer of $480. He also reported on the Bears trip, the Presidential plaque Old Business Ray Hamilton reported last event will be 12/14 and the meat is already cooked and frozen. Dan Carothers reported on his and Bob Jacksons work on streamlining quotes and billing for the Roaster. The group is also looking into a trailer for multiple use purposes, as a winter project. Names submitted for Holiday baskets total 70, up from the expected 50 that were approved. It was moved, 2nd and approved by the Board to increase the expenditures by $500 for each Holiday, to cover the increased need. John Katherman reported on the Dance, with approximately 225 in attendance. Net is expected to be approximately $3500. John also reported on new Brochures being printed, Jim Kerr and John are donating the cost to the chapter. John appointed Dan to look into this further and report back. Respectfully submitted, Ron Roman, Secretary MEMBERSHIP MEETING Meeting Called to Order by President John Katherman. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited followed by a moment of silence remembering our fallen and missing Brothers and Sisters. 38 Members were present.

Bob Groene is getting a speaker for the November Membership meeting. A meeting will be held in January to determine the future of our Honor Express Presidents Comments John asked Bob Groene efforts. introduce our speaker, disabled Vet Jerry New Business McDermott from Clinton, Ia. Jerry described his journey Ray Hamilton proposed through life after becoming cutting the number of injured as a civilian. He Board meetings to 6, due to redundancy. Ray moved went through many difficult years of recovery and Bob Brooks 2nd to have Board meetings every and rehab, including other month. It was moved, getting an Associates 2nd and approved 6 to 3 to Degree, a Bachelors Degree and becoming table the motion until the an expert on disability December Board meeting. issues, participation in Dan Carothers brought up Disability Games, testifying the possibility of using a as an expert, and recently vacant dealership lot as a returning to turkey and staging and storage area for our assets. President
minutes cont. on page 3

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deer hunting after 40 years away. It was moved, 2nd and approved to give Jerry a check for $100 to cover his travel expenses to speak to our Chapter. Committee Reports Membership Larry Tschappat reported 383 members and 42 AVVA members. Charity Andy Andersen moved, Bob Brooks 2nd to approve donating $200 to Toys for Tots. A motion was made, 2nd and approved to donate $100 to Christian Care Youth Hope. Jerry Goodwin moved, Frenchy Eaves 2nd and motion passed to donate $100 to Different Stocking Stuffers, a program for gifts to children of incarcerated individuals. Honor Guard Andy Andersen reported on the many events recently including: 8 funerals, several parades, dance and an appearance at a Bears game. Vet2Vet Frenchy Eaves reported Doug Holmgren and Richard Vanderleest accompanied him on the most recent trip to Iowa City Vets Hospital. Treasurers Report Terry Kramer reported the monthly income and expenses. The report was accepted as presented. Old Business Hog Roaster Dan Carothers and the committee will be looking into purchasing a trailer for multi-purpose use. 2012 saw 22 events, from April through October. Holiday Baskets 72 baskets were distributed

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Saturday, 11/17. Welcome Home Dance again, we had a very successful event. The final report to follow. President John is still looking for programs for meetings. New Business Good of the Order Board meetings for 2013 will be reviewed at the December meeting, with a possible change to every other month. This meets the Constitutional requirement of at least 4 meetings annually. Ray Hamilton suggested we look into advertising our charities that we help with the proceeds we raise. Motion was made by Bob McSparin, 2nd by Larry Tschappat to spend a total of not more than $800 for both ads in the Dispatch/ Argus and the Quad-City

Times. Motion passed. Ray Hamilton noted the Scholarship committee would meet soon to discuss and make recommendations to the Membership on our plans to leave a legacy after our Chapter and membership are gone.

Dennis Johnson announced new ships have been added to the list for those Vets with disabilities who served on them. John Heberling won the $25 drawing and donated it back to the Honor Express. Life Membership drawing was won by Denny Crutchfield. Respectfully submitted, Ron Roman, Secretary

sicK baY- sicK call

Quad Cities Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 299 has 3 Members on our Sick Bay Sick Call List. This month you may read Joe Hajny and Barrie Gibsons words to the Chapter and another Member, Murphy Jamison is also ill. We encourage all Members to make a phone call or send a Get Well card to fellow Members when illness arrives. Chapter 299 can provide Members phone numbers and addresses of Members who are ill. Call Jim Hixson at 309-792-0068. We also ask that Members submit names of our ill to the editors. Frenchy Eaves will send a Get Well card on behalf of the Chapter [ make certain the Member wishes to be listed ]. Members that are ill need be recognized and offered any types of assistance a Member might need; doctor visits, food delivery, companionship to name a few. JL, BA, JH

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above & beYond memorial

Above & Beyond can be seen from the lobby of 1801 S. Indiana Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. Stay tuned for more information! On Memorial Day 2001, the museum added a stirring and spectacular new exhibit to its already highly praised fine art collection. The work of art, an immense 10 x 40 foot sculpture entitled Above and Beyond, is comprised of imprinted dog tags, one for each of the more than 58,000 service men and women who died in the Vietnam War. Above & Beyond is the first new permanent Vietnam War memorial, other than The Wall in Washington, D.C., to list all those killed in action. Above & Beyond at the National Veterans Art Museum is a singular honor for Chicago. It was even the subject of a question on the T.V. Program, Jeopardy, on Jan. 10, 2011. When visitors first enter the museum, they will hear a sound like wind chimes coming from above them and their attention will be drawn upward 24 feet to the ceiling of the two-story high atrium. There they will see tens of thousands of metal dog tags, spaced evenly one inch apart, suspended from fine lines which will allow them to move like a living thing with the shifts in air currents. *Thanks to Chief Dan

change in board / membership meeting times

Starting in January 2013 Chapter 299 will try [ on a trial basis ] having the Board Meeting prior to the Membership Meeting on the same night. The Board Meeting has been held the week prior to the Membership Meeting in the past. Chapter 299s Board will meet at 5:30 P.M. followed by the Membership Meeting on the third Tuesday of each month until further notice.

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vet 2 vet report - JanuarY 2013

Chapter 299s vet 2 Vet Program visited The Good Samaritan Home in Davenport, Iowa December 2012. Terry Kramer assisted me in handing out fresh fruit, puddings, puzzles, hats, playing cards and veteran related lapel pins. We were well received and all had a good time. Vet 2 Vet will next visit St. Anthonys on 30th Street in Rock Island at 2 P.M. on February 12, 2013. We will do much the same. I strongly encourage Chapter Members to truly consider Volunteering for at least one Vet 2 Vet Event this year; make it a New Years Resolution. At 70 years of age, I could use the help and guarantee, you receive much more from our sick and hospitalized Veterans than you give in terms of your time. Please consider Volunteering for our Vet 2 Vet Program; youll be glad you did. Frenchy Eaves Vet 2 vet Chairman

chapter varsitY JacKets ~ staY Warm & looK cool doing it!
A Chapter Varsity Jacket order will be placed soon. This made in the USA Official Chapter 299 Black Varsity Jacket has black leather sleeves, 100% black wool body and (you guessed it) black insulated interior is and is an absolute steal at the prices below. Now add the beautifully embroidered full color VVA logo with CHAPTER 299 on the left breast and you have thee coolest jacket coast-tocoast - border-to-border. Our Chapters intent of selling these fine jackets for half what is charged retail, is to advertize who we are and promote interest in what we do. Prices are as follows: XS, S, M, L, XL : 2X, 3X : M Tall 2XL Tall : 4X, 5X, 6X : 3X-T, 4X-T, 5X-T : $115 $120 $120 $125 $130

editor.vva299@gmail.com with your order. Payment due on delivery. Checks are to be made out to VVA 299. AND to our many members that are unable to attend meetings due to time or distance, WE SHIP!

See or call Jim Hixson (309.792.0068) or e-mail him at

the cut off date to order Your chapter 299 varsitY JacKet Will end JanuarY 21st. the order Will be submitted JanuarY 22nd, 2013.if You Want a chapter JacKet at these prices: order noW ! prices are going up !
SHOuLdeR tO SHOuLdeR iS bROugHt tO YOu eAcH MONtH bY: BILL ALBRACHT & JIM LOVELESS NEWSLETTER CO-EDITORS SeAN MuRPHY - cHAPteR WebMASteR & NeWSLetteR cOORdiNAtOR JIM HIxSON; MANAGING EDITOR [ 309 ] 792-0068 E-MAIL = NxG211@QCONLINE.COM

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to: stars and stripes for general release

AN EIGHTH AIR FORCE BOMBER STATION, ENGLAND - After literally losing the nose of his B-17 Flying Fortress as the result of a direct hit by flak over Cologne , Germany on October 15, 1944, 1st Lt. Lawrence M. deLancey, 25, of Corvallis , Oregon returned to England and landed the crew safely at his home base. Each man walked away from the plane except the togglier, Staff Sergeant George E. Abbott, Mt. Lebanon , Pennsylvania , who was killed instantly when the flak struck. It was only the combined skill and teamwork of Lt. DeLancey and 2nd Lt. Raymond J. LeDoux, of Mt. Angel , Oregon , navigator, that enabled the plane and crew to return safely. Just after we dropped our bombs and started to turn away from the target, Lt. DeLancey explained, A flak burst hit directly in the nose and blew practically the entire nose section to threads. Part of the nose peeled back and obstructed my vision and that of my copilot, 1st Lt. Phillip H. Stahlman of Shippenville , Pennsylvania . What little there was left in front of me looked like a scrap heap. The wind was rushing through our feet were exposed to the open air at nearly 30,000 feet above the ground the temperature was unbearable. There we were in a heavily defended flak area with no nose, and practically no instruments. The instrument panel was bent toward me as the result of the impact. My altimeter and magnetic Naturally I headed for home immediately. The hit which had killed S/ Sgt. Abbott also knocked Lt. LeDoux back in the catwalk (just below where I was sitting) our oxygen system also was out so I descended to a safe altitude.

compass were about the only instruments still operating and I couldnt depend on their accuracy too well.

Purchase of a Dinner Entree includes 1 house drink of your choice. Present this coupon when ordering. Compliments of Bud Canfield!
Offer expires 2/28/13.

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Lt. LeDoux who had lost all his instruments and maps in the nose did a superb piece of navigating to even find England . During the route home flak again was encountered but due to evasive action Lt. DeLancey was able to return to friendly territory. Lt. LeDoux navigated the ship members of the crew directly to his home field. include: Although the plane was off balance without any nose section, without any brakes (there was no hydraulic pressure left), and with obstructed vision, Lt. DeLancey made a beautiful landing to the complete amazement of all personnel at this field who still are wondering how the feat was accomplished. The other 1. Technical Sergeant Benjamin H. Ruckel, Roscoe, California, engineer top turret gunner; 2. Technical Sergeant Wendell A. Reed, Shelby, Michigan, radio operator gunner; 3. Technical Sergeant Russell A. Lachman, Rockport, Mass., waist gunner; 4. Staff Sergeant Albert

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Albro, Antioch , California , ball turret gunner and 5. Staff Sergeant Herbert D. Guild, Bronx , New York , tail gunner. DeLancey and LeDoux received decorations on December 11, 1944 for their parts in the October 15 drama. DeLancey was awarded the Silver Star for his miraculous feat of flying skill and ability on behalf of General Doolittle, CO of the Eighth Air Force. LeDoux

for his extraordinary navigation skill received the Distinguished Flying Cross.

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QCVVA ChAPter 299 to lead parade in neW glarus, Wisconsin

The predominately Swiss community of New Glarus, Wisconsin invited our Nationally recognized Color Guard to lead the parade at the annual Winter fest held January 18, 19 &20, 2013 for the second year in a row. Our Color Guard received the opportunity to participate in the annual Burning of the Trees, see the Swiss yodelers and hear the long Swiss Horns. We paraded to the firehouse to attend the annual dance and participated in the poker run and silent auction and got to taste the Swiss beer and cheese. Members: Take advantage of the many Chapter 299 Volunteer activities. Volunteerism is good for the soul and fuels our many community based, charitable events and donations.

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John f. baKer memorial service ProgrAM

This is a photo of Sarah Stout (Funeral Director) and Kevin Rafferty (Owner-Funeral Director) taken at Raffertys Funeral Home in Moline this past November with John Katherman (VVA 299 President). John is presenting Raffertys Funeral Home with a certificate of appreciation for the assistance they provided with the John Baker Memorial Service Program in July 2012.

membership report - JanuarY 2013

Our Chapter is starting the New Year with 376 members: 169 Individual & 207 Life. Please welcome our newest annual members: Curtis Leslie and Wayne Hill Sr, our newest 3 year member: John OHearn, and our newest Life members: Jim Hughes and Steve Sivertsen. Welcome aboard, guys ! AVVA Chapter 299 currently has 42 members. Their newest annual member is Marrisa Hamilton, and their newest 3-year members are Pat Verschoore and Janice Aguirre. Welcome aboard to you folks, also. Last, I am saddened to report the death of VVA member Tom Sarge McMahon who died in Dec 2012. He was a good man and always volunteered to help with our Chapters activities. Belatedly, I must also report the deaths of two former Chapter members: Jeff Kohrs (AVVA) died on 22 Oct 2012, and Chuck Schantag (VVA) died on 23 Feb 2012. Chuck, along with Duane Winkler (one of the original Air Force Ranch Hands who later died at age 47 from his job handling and loading Agent Orange in the spray planes) convinced me that the QuadCities needed a VVA Chapter, back in Sept. of 1986. In just 3 months, we organized meetings with other QC Veterans, did the required paperwork and received our National Charter and Illinois Incorporation papers in Jan 1987. Chuck was very involved with the MIA/POW issue then, and later started the POW Network : ( pownetwork.org ), which is very still active today. To all their families and friends, we offer them our deepest condolences. As we start another year, thank you all again for your continued support of our Chapter. We are indeed greater than the sum of our parts in our contribution to the QC area all these years. Respectfully, Larry Tschappat Membership Chairman

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sgt. stubbY War dog hero!

Meet Americas first war dog, a stray Pit Bull/Terrier mix, named Stubby. He became Sgt. Stubby, was the most decorated war dog of World War I and the only dog to be promoted to sergeant through combat. One day he appeared at Yale Field in New Haven, Connecticut; while a group of soldiers were training, stopping to make friends with soldiers as they drilled. One soldier, Corporal Robert Conroy, developed a fondness for the dog. He named him Stubby because of his short legs. When it became time for the outfit to ship out, Conroy hid Stubby on board the troop ship. In order to keep the dog, the private taught him to salute his commanding officers warming their hearts to him. Stubby served with the 102nd Infantry, 26th Division in the trenches in France for 18 months and participated in four offensives and 18 battles. The loud noise of the bombs and gunfire did not bother him. He was never content to stay in the trenches but went out and found wounded soldiers. Stubby entered combat on February 5, 1918 at Chemin Des Dames, north of Soissons, and was under constant fire, day and night for over a month. In April 1918, during a raid to take Schieprey, the retreating Germans throwing hand grenades wounded Stubby in the foreleg. He was sent to the rear for convalescence, and as he had done on the front was able to improve morale. When he recovered from his wounds, Stubby returned to the trenches. After being gassed and nearly dying himself, Stubby learned to warn his unit of poison gas attacks, continued to locate wounded soldiers in no mans land, and since he could hear the whine of incoming artillery shells before humans could, became very adept at letting his unit know when to duck for cover. He was solely responsible for capturing a German spy in the Argonne. The spy made the mistake of speaking German to him when they were alone. Stubby knew he was no ally and attacked him biting and holding on to him by the seat of his pants until his comrades could secure him. Following the retaking of ChateauThierry by the US, the thankful women of the town made Stubby a chamois coat on which were pinned his many medals. There is also a legend that while in Paris with Corporal Conroy, Stubby saved a young girl from being hit by a car. At the end of the war, Conroy smuggled Stubby home. After returning home, Stubby became a celebrity and marched in, and normally led, many parades across the country. He met Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, and Warren G. Harding. Starting in 1921, he attended Georgetown University Law Center with Conroy, and became the Georgetown Hoyas team mascot. He would be given the football at halftime and would nudge the ball around the field to the amusement of the fans. Stubby was made a life member of the American Legion, the Red Cross, and

the YMCA. In 1921, the Humane Education Society awarded him a special gold medal for service to his country. General John Pershing presented it. In 1926, Stubby died in Conroys arms. His remains are featured in The Price of Freedom: Americans at War exhibit at the Smithsonian. Stubby was honored with a brick in the Walk of Honor at the United States World War I monument, Liberty Memorial, in Kansas City at a ceremony held on Armistice Day, November 11, 2006. *Thanks Chief Dan

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