Ladies and gentlemen, men and women, friends and foes (hopefully I have none of the latter), and to all members of the greatest Chapter in the organization......this is my last writing as your current President. As such, before going into the heart of most "normal" (from me?? (LOL) Recon Report, a few parting thoughts. Waxing nostalgia if you will.

In the last six years, when at the beginning there were doubts about the Chapter's future, you all came through for me and with me for the Chapter. I thank you all for that. A few things never got done that I wished I would have: a bowling team representing the Chapter and moreover more "get together" activities albeit the ones we DID have are very memorable to me.

Accomplishments??? Where do I start?? Members that passed on and the respect given to them and the support to their families (THIS part of being President REALLY suck(ED/S). Apathy which did run and has run (run, hell, I've seen it GALLOP!!!) rampant in the past for all but one meeting just didn't happen. Over 100 paid members (albeit that I wish more would show up at the meetings, but that's SOP now and from the forming of the Chapter), very successful Fiesta booth fund raisers, the "Wall" coming and the one that was here 4 years ago (in spite of 9/11), ALL Memorial Day, 4th of July, Veteran's Day and year end activities and the Member of the Year winners.

While we remain a VERY strong Veteran's organization, we have the respect we earned we never got when we first got home. Again, my heartfelt thanks to all of you. Especially to those who actively participate, not just carry a membership card.

Enclosed is a ballot for next year's Officers and Board Of Directors. Good people all as you know. The top two votegetters for Vice President will be first and second accordingly and then same for the top five for Board of Directors if not elected for other nominated office. Same as I've told you before. If you don't vote, don't bitch. It's your Chapter. Get and stay involved. ALL ballots must be at the Chapter address by the meeting on the 8th of March. At the meeting that night, we'll also set up the all volunteer newest Vance Committee. There will be ballots available at the meeting, but if you mail them in by then, it'll cut down the longer time this meeting always takes to count the results.

Thank you.

Chapter news and recap of last month's meeting......

1) the helicopter will be painted in Santa Maria at a cost of between $1450 and $1650 It also needs new rotors and, stabilizers and a lower windshield. Gerry Roberson, btw, has done a helluva lotta work on the bird thru the years so give him an attaboy when you see him.

2)The Moving Wall will be here from April 29th thru the 6th of May. A committee is already being formed, but we're gonna need a LOTTA effort from members as before. Cost will be around 6-9K (that's thousand for those from Rio Linda) so please if everyone in the Chapter gives at LEAST 10 bucks, that's help. Also talk to someone who might want to sponsor and receive recognition for it of course via Certificate of Appreciation and Donor Board. Do some SERIOUS consideration to this along with the "guard duty" time down at the beach. Who's joining me this time for the night shift???? Get 'er done!!!!

3)John Kerr has been by now presented a plaque from the Chapter during his convalescense in L.A. by Bill Stewart. Thanks, Bill. OH!!!!! John Parsons will take over for Domingo as Chapter Chaplain. (for some reason, I wasn't considered....DEFINETLY LOL!!!!)
See all of you on the 8th. Thanx again for the honor of being your President. Words cannot describe what you all mean to me and/or this organization. So, for the last time.......

Forward and Onward, Proudly Serving,
Dennis

P. S. If Keith is elected President I know that he can expect the same support given to me. The Chapter appreciates the time and effort he is about to undertake. Godspeed, my man. (that's sounds better than Semper Fi, mofo, doesn't it????)

 

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March, 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"

 

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