May Updates
Next meeting is Sunday June 8th at Chicopee AMVETS Post. Meeting starts at Noon. Post12 is off of Mass. Pike at 754 Montgomery Street. KVA dress hats will be for sale at meeting. ROTC Monte Tech and Wareham High School presentations are coming up this month. KVA Color Guard is going to DC on Memorial day. KVA is in this months Graybeards.
New KWVA/KVA Chapter # 299 Members:
- Dick Gunn - Hamilton MA - Army - Korea 61-62 - 1st Cav.
Deceased KWVA/KVA Chapter # 299 Members:
- Norman Johnson - Leominster MA
- Gerald Horton - Reading MA
Sick KWVA/KVA Chapter # 299 Members:
- John Sasso - Chicopee MA
"Hello everyone,
Let's take a moment to reflect on the hard work and volunteerism that our recent fund raising success underscores. It's the result of more people at more stores as well as a clearer vision of what kind of planning and execution is necessary to pull it off.
Art Griffith, as Chair of Fundraising, has laid out in past emails who contributed their time and effort and these folks deserve a round of applause.
With good fiscal management, we as an organization can grow, do more things, support more worthy causes, attract more members and grow again in a continuous positive cycle.
CONGRATS to all!" - KVA Commander Al McCarthy
KVA Color Guard will represent the KWVA at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day 2008.
New KWVA/KVA Chapter # 299 Members:
- Nick Pak - MA - Army 2000-01 - 2nd ID
- Nelson Parker - FLA - Army 1951-53 - 88th ID
- Owen Maguire - NJ - Army 1950-52 - 3rd ID
- Bernard Byrnes - MA - USAF 1953-54
- Robert Findley - CT - Army 1963-65 - 1st CAV
- Thomas Hacker - WI - Army 1960-61 - 1st CAV
- Randy Lusk - IN - Army 1984-85 - 2nd ID
- Jim Yost - MA - Army 1950-51 - 2nd ID
- John Walsh - MA - Army - 1955-56 - 24th ID
From Korea Veterans of America Commander Al McCarthy at Arlington:
"The Veterans Day memorial in Washington was particularly moving as it was also the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam Memorial. It was amazing that there could be so many thousands of people and have it so quiet. Everyone seemed to know they were on hallowed ground and respected it fully. Vice President Cheney spoke to those at the National Memorial Amphitheater while Gen. Colon Powell spoke at the Vietnam Memorial.
I found the events to be very moving and came away with a profound sense of
the sacrifice it has required to keep our nation free and to protect freedom
around the world. It is definitely a trip everyone should make while we're still able to
travel (age wise). Thank you KVA for the opportunity to represent you at this important event."
Sincerely,
Al McCarthy
KWVA President Dechert, KWVA Director McHugh , KVA Commander McCarthy on Veterans Day at the Korean War Memorial.
KWVA President Dechert, KWVA Director McHugh , KVA Commander McCarthy on Veterans Day at the Korean War Memorial.
Commander McCarthy with other KWVA members at Arlington Memoral Cemetery Veterans Day Services.
New Banner for Chapter 299
Otis Mangrum and Art Griffithin in new KVA Color Guard Uniforms.
New KVA Members:
1) Fred Meade - Brookline Ma - ARMY 2) Greg Arabian - Belmont Ma - USAF 3) Al Natario - Ludlow Ma - ARMY 4) Dan Pineda - La Junta CO - ARMY 5) Bob Kelchner - Mohnton Pa. - ARMY
The KVA has purchased a brick at the Worcester Korean War Memorial and a large stone will be put in place honoring Post Armistice Korea Service at the dedication of phase 2 of the monument in Worcester on Oct 20th. There will also be a flag pole dedicated to those veterans. The KVA Color Guard will be participating in the event.
The new Korea War / Korea Service 14 inch patches with the Chapter #299 rockers have just arrived . They will be $25.00 plus $4.00 Shipping and handling. They are for the back of our black windbreakers jackets. If you are interested in the patches and rocker email Jeff Brodeur.
On 24 September our Chapter was present at the funeral of fellow comrade (charter member) George Bratianu. Color Guard consisted of Senior Vice Commander Art Griffith, Otis Mangrum, Photographer Junior Vice Commander Ken McKenna. A certificate of Appreciation was presented to his widow as well as the flag that draped his coffin. Other members of our Chapter, Director O'Connell, Sgt at Arms Petrius and fellow members from all parts of the state were present. (see pictures)
KVA Fundraiser will be on Oct 13 at 9AM. Please email or call Art Griffith to volunteer or find out where they are being held. He can be reached at 978-833-0892.
KVA Leominster meeting is Oct 6, 2007 at Noon at Leominster Veterans Center on 100 West St.. New KVA Polo shirts will be available and 14 inch patches with Chapter#299 rockers for our jackets.
Charlie Morris has put a KVA Recruiting poster on the bulletin board at the VA in Worcester . I have put one at the Bethesda Naval base.
The KVA has purchased a brick at the Worcester Korean War Memorial and a large stone will be put in place honoring Post Armistice Korea Service at the dedication of phase 2 of the monument in Worcester on Oct 20th. There will also be a flag pole dedicated to those veterans.
I would like our members to remember and pray for loyal members Joe Vitack, Bob MaClean who are both fighting cancer.
Jeff Brodeur - KWVA Director
Larry Swope
Adjutant, Chapter 299 KVA
Next KVA Meeting will be on September 8th at the Hibernian Cultural Center in worcester from 12:00 Noon to 2:00 p.m. A meeting of the Board and all committee members will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The address is 19 Temple Street Worcester, Ma. 01604-4117 (Tel: 508-795-0400). The Hibernian Cultural Center is in downtown Worcester about three blocks from the Korea War Memorial.
Art Griffith is trying to arrange a recruitment at the Oak Hill Retirement Community in Middleboro in October.
The KVA is on the BKVA Durham Light Infantry website at: http://www.communigate.co.uk/ne/thehill/
The KVA received a letter of thanks from the Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation for its recent donation.
A special thanks goes out to Adj./Director Larry Swope for his outstanding job in lining up the following stores in the Leominster, Fitchburg, Lunenburg area for our fundraiser scheduled for October 13th; Fitchburg Market Basket on Water Street; Walmart in Lunenburg; Market Basket in Leominster. Commander McCarthy is setting up the Stop and Shop in West Boyleston. Finance Officer Bob Wagner is working on three stores in the Cape area. We are trying to get some stores set up in the Springfield area. To all members - We need personnel to donate only 3 hours of your time to man these stores. Please contact Art Griffith @ 978-833-0892 and get your name on the fundraising roster for that date.
Upcoming July Leominster Meeting - Invited guests are Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarelli, Veterans Council Chair Rick Voutre, Les Pete (Past President of Canadian KVA), and Donna Philips and several members of the Blue Star Mothers of Mass. Chapter # 1 (The Blue Star Mothers support our troops with packages and phone cards). The Blue Star Mothers also put on the 4077th Mash Theme at the Summer Stroll event that gained us five new members.
June Updates
Leominster "Summer Stroll" Event - On 23 June at 1 PM in the afternoon the town of Leominster is having a "Summer Stroll" down memory lane with a Korean War Mash theme. I have been asked to be a speaker at the event and to welcome all Korean Military Veterans. They are having the Korea era Army tent set up etc! They encourage anyone with knowledge on Korea military experience to answer questions from children and adults alike. We will have a table set up for info on membership, our Chapter, our goals hosted by Senior Vice Griffith and Junior Vice McKenna as well as myself. Any members who would like to join us are welcome - time 1pm to 5pm - location is right on Main Street, Leominster.
KVA Adjutant Larry Swope
June 16th KVA Installation will be held from 12:00 Noon to 4:00pm at Main South Post 341 American Legion (phone 508-775-8417) 1023 main Street (P.O. Box 30295) Worcester, MA 01603.
July 14th meeting (12:00) in Leominster will be held at Veterans Center 100 West St. Leominster, Ma. 01453.
The KWVA Gathering and EC Meeting will take place on July 24-28 in Gaithersburg MD and DC. Contact Jack Cloman at connienjack@msn.com or 410-676-1388 if you would like to attend. It is a great event at the National Monument with several receptions following.
On June 10 and 11 Colonel John Lightly, the Commander of the BKVA Durham England will be in Boston. I will be bringing him to our office, Spaulding Rehab and the KWVA Monument in Charlestown. Anyone who would like to meet us please let me know.
New KWVA/KVA National Life Member - Mark Brock - Carlisle Ma. - Army 88-89 2nd Infrantry Division.
KVA Adjutant and President Board of Directors - Jeff Brodeur
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