Happy New Year albeit the last week of January. 2006 for the Chapter promises to be more fun than a half price sale at Zody's or Robert Hall, running from the "necker checkers" in the white coats (I actually used to BE one of them) at the drive in while being more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.....STOP, already Dennis. Just write!!!!

December's Year End/Award's Dinner was well attended and this time almost everybody showed up that made reservations. For those of you who weren't there, you missed me in a not very often at all worn suit and a really good meal. Thanks again to Elizabeth and Bill who booked it and we're already on for next year. Mike Mazur was voted Member of the Year and receives a kewl monogrammed denim VVA shirt for it. Thanks again to the Chapter for the Nascar mugs and my farewell gift as your President of the gavel and plaque. I didn't get a chance to use it yet because I was stuck at home until I took the boat up to Santa Barbara because of the landslides, however.....let me thank here Gerry for taking notes again at the last meeting and the people who could and did show up. See, this just proves my point re: this Chapter is as good as it is because of the members, not just the leadership.

Speaking of which....
At February's meeting on Tuesday the 8th, nominations for 2005-2006 will take place. Please keep in mind for those of you who make or accept a nomination for office or Board Member the commitment you are about to make, especially as President. You must make and take phone calls at sometimes (especially, God forbid if a member leaves this world) God awful hours and be able to answer questions from not only the members, but the general public especially when it comes close to or during a Chapter event. I believe especially important is to have a working knowledge of past mistakes of the Chapter and avoid them while representing the Chapter.

I hope I did in my six years, anyway (or....for those old hippies out there, "What a Long Strange Trip It's Been" (extra points for those who can identify LOL!!!) Ah.....the mistakes and triumphs!!!! All the while working with and for the members and the Board instead of a personal agenda. Do I have any ideas for my replacement??? Yep....Definetly. But it's up to you Chapter members to decide, not me. Then for the nominees to decide whether they can do the job and THEN accept nomination. Time and dedication. It takes lots of both, believe me!!!! See ya on the 8th. (A week after that....DAYTONA for Speedweek. Not that that matters to most of you, I'm just excited!!!)

More on next meeting.....we're obviously getting much closer to "The Wall" coming back and we'll talk more about it that night. Be ready to volunteer as much (maybe more) time than Fiesta. ALSO......we need some MAJOR cash for this endeavor (like, grand total around 9K). If EVERYONE in the Chapter gave at least $10, that's be over a grand to honor our fallen brothers and sisters. Look for benefactors out there that you know besides yourselves. I've secured two grand from an anonymous donor already and he'll (and everyone else who gives) a personal letter and certificate of appreciation from the Chapter. Get cookin'!!!!! Don Matter will be there with his expertise to start setting up committees for donations, also. We'll also hear more from Gerry on the helicopter progress. I'll try to make the meeting as short as I can. See you at the Veteran's Building on Cabrillo at 6:15.

Those of you with a star by your name....your memberships are either due or past due according to National. Call me at the store (805-965-2161) with any questions .

OH.....and if you happen to see a new Mini Cooper S parked in front of the store or driving around with VVA stickers on it....well, let's just say that my new license plate is going to read IM25AGN

Forward and Onward, Proudly Serving,
Dennis

Addendum:

Chapter 54 of the Veterans For Peace meets weekly on Mondays at 5pm in the Harbor Room of the Veterans Memorial Building at 112 W. Cabrillo on Santa Barbara's waterfront. The monthly membership and business meeting is normally the first Monday of the month. On all other Mondays, visitors are encourged to join the chapter in Monday film showings. The films are shown at 6pm following refreshments and social hour from 5-6pm. For more information, contact Lane Anderson at 564-2698.

This site is best viewed in later browsers; It is not designed for netscape 4x.

Note from WebMaster: To enlarge your font (later browsers)

1)Firefox - 'ctrl and '+' 1 to 3 times or 'view' - 'text size'

2) Internet Explorer 6 - 'ctrl' and scroll your dial on top of your mouse (if equipped) or 'view' and 'text size'.

 

 

February, 2005

 

SERVING VETERANS AND THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1983

 

For all those soldiers, sailors, airmen, coast guardsmen and marines, past, present and future, who have taken, are taking, or will take their turn on duty, recall a couple of lines from

A Few Good Men (1992):

"Why do you like them so much?" {Lt. Sam Weinberg (Kevin Pollak)}

" 'Cause they stand on a wall and they say: "Nothing's going to hurt you tonight, not on my watch."" {Lt. Cdr. JoAnne Galloway (Demi Moore)}

"Proud To Be
A Vietnam Veteran"

 

© 2006 Maria By Design

Santa Barbara, CA
805.569.2550
Email Comments / Feedback / Questions

All Rights Reserved. Photos by Maria By Design. Duplication by Permission Only