2024 - CHAPTER PROJECTS & PROGRAMS

Note:  This  section will be dedicated to all proposed 2024 projects / special programs - with more details; dates; and points of contact as they are being developed. 

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Those of you who missed last evening’s (Feb 17th) General Membership and Business Meeting would have been impressed with how our new President - Tim Worley, and Vice President – Oscar Castillo laid out the framework for getting more of our members actively involved within our Chapter.  Oscar highlighted several projects that we have participated in the past, and other potential projects that we could further develop.  Continuing steps will further develop project details; establish dates for future events; and to encourage more membership points of contact to head up these projects.  Membership participation proved that 2024 is the year to recognize and take advantage of all the talent and expertise within our Chapter!     

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Proposed 2024 Projects, Alamo Chapter, VHPA

During the meeting on February 17, 2024, the attending members agreed that the following proposed events to be considered by the Chapter membership for approval and support as Chapter projects during 2024. These projects are in compliance with the Chapter’s purpose as specified in Article 4 of the Articles of Incorporation and the Objectives in Article II of the Chapter ByLaws.

Some events / activities approved and supported by the Chapter in previous years are listed below, and are projects worthy of continued support.

  1. Wreaths Across America: Consider approval and support with a donation. The Chapter previously made a $150 donation and some members made additional donations to buy wreaths to be placed at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery during early December.  Some Members also volunteered to place the wreaths at the Cemetery.

  2. Quad A National Scholarship Program: Consider approval of a donation by the Chapter members.  Previously Chapter members made donations to support the VHPA Scholarship Program to assist decedents of Army families who pursue higher education. We need to provide information of these scholarships to local students, and increase the number of available scholarships.

Currently, the VHPA National Scholarship Program Committee is seeking volunteers to review over 300 student applications online and to submit your recommendation on which students should receive the scholarships. If you would like to volunteer - then contact the National Committee Chair, Tom Payne at ka5had@att.net, or Mike Sheuerman, msheuerman@tx.rr.com. The official VHPA website has more information.

   3. American Huey 369: Consider approval for a donation by Chapter members. Previously some members made donations to keep the UH-1 Huey flying as an icon to the Vietnam War. Others have also been to and visited this project and museum in Peru, Indiana.

Other proposed events to consider approval of will provide our Chapter with recognition and awareness within our community. These events could be:

   1.  Consider approval for Chapter members to attend funeral and/or memorial service for “Unclaimed” veterans. A Chapter representative will coordinate with local agencies, such as VFW, Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery, etc. to obtain the specific dates for such services and will then inform the Chapter members to coordinate attendance.

   2.  Consider approval that Chapter members visit local high school students, share their experience in the Vietnam War, and explain the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. A Chapter representative will contact the Directors of JR ROTC Programs to schedule each visit with the students, provide information on the available scholarships, hand out copies of the VHPA magazine, and invite a few students with cadre escort to attend one of our monthly luncheon or General Membership Meetings.

   3.  Support the Audie Murphy VA Hospital by manning the Information / Reception Desk.

   4.  Support a local VFW Chapter with their community project. The support can include a donation to assist them in purchasing needed supplies.

   5.  Support a local Food Bank to distribute food to the needy.

   6.  Support the USO Information / Reception center at the San Antonio Airport.

   7.  Support the Ft Sam Houston Aviation Museum by manning the Information Center, and/or leading tours of the Museum.

The projects listed above can be done during major federal 2024 holidays:  May 27 - Memorial Day / June 14 - Flag Day / July 4 - Independence Day / November 11 - Veterans Day.

  8.  Consider approval for a one day road trip to tour The National Vietnam War Museum in Mineral Wells, TX. A Chapter representative will coordinate with Members to decide the preferred date of travel and contract a chartered bus that leaves and returns to San Antonio. Each Chapter member and guest must pay for travel expenses. FYI: The Friends of the Museum are hosting the 23rd Annual Spring Fundraiser on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at the Crazy Water Hotel in Mineral Wells, Texas. The evening starts with a silent auction and cash bar at 5:30 pm, Dinner at 6 pm, live auction with fun auctioneer, and live entertainment. The non-sponsor donation for this event is $150 each, in advance, or $200 each at the door, if available. Members that join as a sponsor pay $350 for two tickets. You can get more specific information at www.nationalvnwarmuseum.org

Members are encouraged to review these events, ask questions, or express concerns regarding the event(s). It is important that we achieve a consensus to approve and support some or all of these projects. Once a project is approved, a Chapter member will be asked to take lead of a specific project, do the necessary coordination with the appropriate agency, provide update briefing status during Chapter meetings, and identify the member volunteers to support the project. 

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Anyone interested in becoming involved with these projects / programs, or has more ideas / suggestions for other events to be considered - please contact either:  Tim Worley rew4921@msn.com / 210.573-3121 or Oscar Castillo  oscar.castillo0663@att.net / 361.455-3707.

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February 24, 2024  - Our 1st Chapter Project Opportunity:

David Katz has taken the initiative to communicate with Brenda Hoster - Administrative Officer at the Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery.  Subject as follows:  The Alamo Chapter VHPA is interested in providing a presence at ceremonies for veterans that have no family representation.  We have approximately 78 members with 20-30 active for meetings.  We would like to attend these ceremonies to help provide a final "Dustoff" for those who have no one to send them home.

Reply from Brenda Hoster - Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery Administrator as follows:  Yes Sir.  The cemetery holds the memorial service with honors every quarter.  The next service is April 24th 2024, at 8:30 AM.  Meeting place is the cemetery's assembly area located at the far side of the cemetery.  The service starts promptly at 9:00 AM - so we ask attendees to be in place NLT 08:50 AM.  There is limited parking near the assembly area,  so some walking may be involved.  I have copied your request to  Mr. Wilson and Ms Taguacta - from the Bexar County Military and Veteran Services Office - as they are our partners in arranging this service, and they send out invites to organizations and to the public.  They can add you and your Alamo Chapter VHPA organization to the list, and you as a POC.                                     Thanks for supporting our Vererans.

--------------- David has passed this information to Oscar Castillo - our Vice President.  Oscar's reply:  David, this is great information, and am sure that our chapter members will want to participate in this event.  I am recommending to our directors that we discuss this during our March lunch meeting and get a list of member names that would like to participate and attend the service on April 24, 2024.  Thank you!  Oscar ----------------------

Meanwhile - in order to get this project off to an early start for volunteers - please contact David Katz as our POC, and he will inturn further coordinate with Oscar.  David Katz' contact as follows:  katz.d@sbcglobal.net  /  Ph.  210.705-4822

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April 16, 2024 - During our Monthly Luncheon today, we discussed 3 new subjects to add to this section:

  1.  The Fort Sam Houston Cemetery provides Quarterly Honors Ceremonies for our Veterans who are buried without family members being present.  The scheduled Ceremony for April 24th has no posted listing on their website.  Please return to this section for future schedules.

   2.  The U.S. Army Medical Department Museum is currently being renovated.  Once they reopen, we will be organizing a group visit to this museum.  Some of our members who have recently visited this museum learned that there is the possibility  the museum will offer catered luncheons for visiting groups.  Stand-by while we try to find out more about this opportunity. 

   3.  Our President - Tim Worley has come up with a design for our NEW Alamo Chapter VHPA Banner.  Please view as follows:

 

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*2024 NEW YEAR GIVING LETTER*              Support for the AMERICAN HUEY 369 PROJECT

For those who wish to help keep the memories of our Huey alive  - - - -   Click Here for a PDF

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August 08 - 11, 2024 or October 03 - 06, 2024 - "One and Done" - Final Reunion for the Ohio River LZ Chapter VHPA

This information brought to our attention by Chic Charter.  Presented for anyone who would like to help support another of our Sister VHPA Chapters by attending their last Reunion.  This could also give you a good reason to visit the American Huey 369 National American Huey History Museum in Bunker Hill, Indiana.  For more information. Click Here for a PDF.