The Results are In
Thursday April 5, 2007 Chapter 172 held its annual election of officers and Board of Directors. With a heavier than usual turnout of members and five members coming off the floor to run for the Board it was a memorable night. Region III Director Bruce Whitaker and Maryland State Council President Ed Chow were both present with some VVA news and words of encouragement. The results are as follows.
President, Roger Krueger
1st Vice Pres. Steve Parsons
2nd Vice Pres. Bobby Cook
Secretary Bill Lange
Treasurer (the only contested officers� position )
Rick Webb
Board of Directors
Dave Sahulis
Stan Kline
Denny Bantz
Joe Brennen
Bob Peck
Chip Bosley
We would also like to thank everyone who ran for office and did not make the cut. It shows that our Chapter is alive and well, thank you.
Breaking News
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As of 5-1-2007 The Chapter Wil Be Smoke Free. This Was Done In Compliance With The New Maryland Law. This Was Voted On At The 4-18-2007 Board of Directors Meeting.
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How Will It End?
Editorial Opinion
I and a handful of other members have been involved in the VVA and Chapter 172 since the very early days of its inception. Before we had a national charter, before Chapter 172 was chartered and we were supposed to be Chapter 171, before we became the largest Chapter in the VVA. To me feels like a hundred years ago. Those of us involved in the early days had no misconceptions in our minds; we knew that we were a last man standing organization, from the very first day our VVA was doomed by time. But that was okay we had a purpose and the need was evident, there was no gray area.
Now fast forward to 2007, VVA has grown into the most politically influential VSO in the nation. We have spearheaded some of the most important veterans� legislation to come before congress in the last two decades.
In the earlier days the VVA had associate members. I was always against watering down our membership with associates that would artificially inflate our membership numbers. So when the IRS ruled that associates were illegal I was pleased, I am not going to lie to you I was (like many other members) was happy to see them go, bye bye.
So as I said fast forward to 2007 and what�s happening some members of the VVA want to give our organization away. They have designated a so called legacy organization----------------------------------------- which is funded in part by VVA National. Others want to open membership in the VVA up to veterans of subsequent wars after Vietnam. In the end the VVA would eventually be consumed by this �legacy� organization we wouldn�t die out but just fade away.
What�s the difference you ask, I�ll tell you. First of all the VVA has always been a financially strapped organization and always will be. Yes we have been very fortunate here at Chapter 172, but we are among the very few of VVA Chapters who are. I wonder if the people who want to change our congressional charter or get a new VSO chartered remember or were they even around when we were fighting to get the VVA chartered by congress. In the battle to get the VVA charter there were wounds that have never healed. There were hard feelings created then that still exist between the VVA and other veterans service organizations. Yes, some have healed, but many haven�t and many never will.
When the troops came home from Dessert Storm they were welcomed home as heroes that was because of us the Vietnam Veterans. Now; when the troops are coming home the response to them is the same they are welcomed as returning heroes as they should be and that also is due to the Vietnam Vets and our influence on other VSO�s.
What�s changed with the other VSO�s? The WWII vets are for the most no longer in charge. The Korean vets are getting a little long in the tooth as are we the Vietnam Vets.
The traditional VSO�s are hurting for membership and the younger vets are moving in and taking over. There are four or five veterans service organizations that are very wealthy by VVA standards, hell some of them have larger payrolls than the VVA national budget, so I have been told. So why create another red headed step child of a VSO? I would encourage all our younger veteran brothers and sisters to join the traditional VSO�s. Become active and take them over and continue the fight for veteran�s rights and benefits.
After you take over welcome all vets into your post and chapters, remember we are all brothers and sisters.
Never again will one generation of veterans forget another.
Steve Parsons
April 2007.
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Observation: Status Quo
I would like to make an observation concerning the recent Chapter elections. It was good to see so many candidates running for office. It was the largest slate of candidates I believe that I have ever seen but, you knew that there was going to be a but didn�t you?
Every candidate running said just about the same thing. First, if they were already in office they told you what they have done in the past and what committees they are on (YAWN). The new candidates , some who have been on the BOD before told you what they have done in the past and if elected what a good job they would do (YAWN again).
I guess telling the voters what you�ve done in the past is okay. Just like saying something like if elected I will try my best to do a good job, no shit really, you would try to do a good job, what a surprise. I guess if you said that you would only make a half ass effort you wouldn�t have a chance. So here is my question. You all said that you would try to do a good job if elected, why did you also say, and all the candidates did say it. That you felt that you thought that the Chapter was being well run. All the candidates said that if elected that they would see that the chapter continues to be run in the same fashion as in the past?
So if the Chapter is being run so well and you are pleased with it why are you running for election? I mean you just said how well it is going so why should we elect you and take time to train you when you don�t want to change anything? Where are the new ideas? Why didn�t you say something like �I like the way the Chapter is being run, but we could do so much better, and here�s my big idea?�
If one of you would have said something like �If elected I will make every effort to fire the editor of �The Point� hell I would have voted for you. So where are the new ideas? What can we improve, what can we do better? Where is the creativity? We are now the largest Chapter in VVA so what can we do now? Resting on past accomplishments won�t get it.
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�Reflections� on the TV
Sometime soon I am not sure when Disney will be airing a new series entitled �Army Wives.� They have been in contact with the Chapter about using the picture �Reflections� as a prop on the set. They have our permission to do so and have told us the picture will be in the colonel�s office, so you might want to keep an eye on the tube.
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Another Win For 172
Sunday April 16 was another banner day for Chapter 172. This was the date of the annual �MS Walk� Chapter 172 was awarded the recognition for the largest team in the walk with 42 walkers not to mention several volunteers who worked and the Color Guard. It was quite a turn out considering the cold rain and wind that lasted the entire day. The walk was organized by Jessica Potter (no relation to Harry) Board member Denny Bantz�s beautiful daughter. It was one of those warm fuzzy moments that left us all feeling good and a little cold, well worth it.
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A Gathering of Heroes
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Upon returning home from �A Gathering of Eagles�, I wanted to write a letter to the editor to express my view of a day that will always be in my heart.
I would like �now� to express my thanks to Chapter 172 for the opportunities provided by the Chapter to volunteer and to attend functions (ie: attending the funeral of SSGT Calvin Cooke in Arlington) that would be beyond my reach without Chapter 172.
Due to an e-mail malfunction, this letter may not be printed in the newspaper.
A Gathering of Heroes
On March 17th, I had the honor of joining the Vietnam Veterans on a mission to Washington, DC.
The local members from chapter 172 chartered a bus to join thousands of Vietnam Veterans for 'A Gathering of Eagles'. Their mission was to protect 'The Wall' and surrounding monuments from the anti-war demonstrators and to show support for our troops in Iraq.
With hundreds of American flags waving across the reflecting pool area, the Vietnam Veterans mingled - with greetings of 'welcome home' and 'thank-you for being here'.
They showed their spirit and love for their country, standing shoulder to shoulder, blocking the demonstrators from entering the memorial areas. They stood tall, waving the American flag, chanting 'USA' in unison.
They withstood the bitter cold weather for six hours, standing proud...and 'still' defending the Country they fought for 40 years ago.
Sharon Lindeman
Sign Ups for Socials
If you would to run a social or special event for the Chapter now is the time to let it be known. Contac Pres. Roger Krueger or leave word at the office along with your phone number. Socials are the third Saturday of each month, New Year�s Eve, Super Bowl along with a few others. Also if you would like to do something for a Friday TGIF that may be arranged also. If you have a new idea for a social or event we would like to hear from you.
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Chili Taste Off
No Chili Cook off this spring we sort of forgot to put it on the agenda, so here�s what we are doing. At the May 19 social we will have a Chili Tasting. Yes, Marty this year you can cook it at home and bring it in. Make whatever kind of chili your hearts desire everything is legal. You want beans, put beans in it, pork, sausage we don�t care, no recipes barred, anything goes. Cook it at home and bring it in. If necessary we can heat it up in the Chapter Kitchen.
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Subject: Classroom Desks
This email was checked at SNOPES. It is listed as TRUE.
Back in September of 2005, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a social studies school teacher at Robinson High School in Little Rock, did something not to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she took all of the desks out of the classroom.
The kids came into first period, they walked in, and there were no desks. They obviously looked around and said, "Ms. Cothren, where's our desk?" And she said, "You can't have a desk until you tell me how you earn them."
They thought, "Well, maybe it's our grades."
"No," she said.
"Maybe it's our behavior."
And she told them, "No, it's not even your behavior."
And so they came and went in the first period, still no desks in the classroom, second period, same thing, third period, same thing. By early afternoon television news crews had gathered in Ms. Cothren's class to find out about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of the classroom. The last period of the day, Martha Cothren gathered her class. They were at this time sitting on the floor around the sides of the room. And she says, "Throughout the day no one has really understood how you earn the desks that sit in this classroom ordinarily." She said, "Now I'm going to tell you."
Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it, and as she did 27 U.S. veterans, wearing their uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. And they placed those school desks in rows, and then they stood along the wall. And by the time they had finished placing those desks, those kids for the first time I think perhaps in their lives understood how they earned those desks.
Martha said, "You don't have to earn those desks. These guys did it for you. They put them out there for you, but it's up to you to sit here responsibly to learn, to be good students and good citizens, because they paid a price for you to have that desk, and don't ever forget it."
My friend, I think sometimes we forget that the freedoms that we have are freedoms not because of celebrities. The freedoms are because of ordinary people who did extraordinary things, who loved this country more than life itself, and who not only earned a school desk for a kid at the Robinson High School in Little Rock, but who earned a seat for you and me to enjoy this great land we call home, this wonderful nation that we better love enough to protect and preserve with the kind of conservative, solid values and principles that made us a great nation.
"We live in the Land of the Free because of the brave"
Remember our Troops...
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Subject: What kind of mileage are you getting?
A 2006 study found that the average American walks about 900 miles per
year.
Another study found that Americans drink an average of 22 gallons of
beer per year.
That means, on average, Americans get approximately 41 miles per gallon. |
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CHAPTER 172 OFFICERS AND BOARD FOR 2007-2008
President, Roger Krueger
First Vice-Pres. Steve Parsons
Second Vice-Pres., Bobby Cook
Secretary, Bill Lange
Treasurer Rick Webb
Board of Directors
Chip Bosley, Dave Shaulis, Bob Peck,
Denny Bantz. Stan Kline Joe Brennen
State Council Delegates
Roger Krueger, Jim Harris, Harold Stallings
Jim Williams
Alternate State Council Delegates
Harry �Chip Bosley, Rodger Long
Stanley Kline
Nominating Committee
Robert Lewis
Committee Chairs
Agent Orange�Robert Cook
Chap.Photog�Charlie Pennington
Color Cmdr. Joe Brenen
Comm. Service Chip Bosley
Constitution�Steve Parsons
ETABO�Stan Kline
Finance�William Lange
Govt. Affairs�William Lange
Grunt Shirt�Harry Bosley
Health and Care�Robert Cook
House Committee�Denny Bantz
Membership� William Lange
Minority Affairs Dave Shaulis
Museum�Richard Webb
Newsletter�Steve Parsons
POW/MIA�Robert Peck
Reflections�Roger Krueger
Scholarship Committees.. Rusty Dennison
Social Comm. �Roger Krueger
Veterans Benefits.. Bobby Cook
Vets Affairs�.Stan Kline
Vets Assistance�William Lange
Web site�Nelson Lindeman
Women Vets...Harlan Smith
