SCHEDULED EVENTS & BULLETIN BOARD

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Preserving our Legacy:  In the Alamo Chapter we meet routinely to enjoy the fellowship of our friends and fellow pilots.  The purpose of our monthly luncheons and meetings is to keep our friendships warm and active.  We strive to honor the memory and common experiences we share through this association.  All of us feel our experiences in Vietnam were significant and noteworthy.  We all would like for our legacy and the legacy of all Vietnam War fighters to be remembered.  To that end, in June 2020, Mike Law had established a program of voluntary support to strengthen the legacy and history of all Vietnam Helicopter pilots and crews.  The two organizations chosen are not local - but do promote the icon of the Vietnam War, the Bell UH-1 Iroquois "Huey", the histories of Vietnam pilots, and their VHPA chapters.  The first entity is the American Huey Museum in Peru, Indiana, and the second is the Vietnam Center for Archives and Museum at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.  Our Alamo Chapter's records and documents are included in the Archives at Texas Tech, and our association is part of the VHPA history.

Many of us have other ways to support our history, and hopefully we will continue to do so.  As a way for our Alamo Chapter to have a constant collective impact, we list these two programs as a convenient way to ensure our legacies.  So, at our meetings or luncheons - if you desire to contribute and to promote the legacy of our Chapter and our histories - please see Chic Carter, the Chapter Treasurer.  He can accept your contributions, and periodically send your contributions to one or both of these organizations as you so designate.  Remember, none of us will do this every meeting or luncheon, but just when we feel we can and want to.  It all adds up significantly.

Thank you.  - - - -  Dale Stout, 2022 President, VHPA -  Alamo Chapter

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MEMBERSHIP STATUS:   As of Mid 2025, we have 59 Life Members; 5 Annual Active Members; 4 Inactive Members (no Annual Dues paid during the past 3 years); and 4 Potential Members for a total count of 72 Alamo Chapter Members posted on our Roster.

 
Lest we forget - if you are not a Life Member, or have not mailed in your 2025 Annual Alamo Chapter Dues (good only from January – December) please do so!  NOTE: Annual Membership has increased to $25.00 - effect January 2025.  Not sure of your status – then check out the Members - Current And Rememberd Section on this web site.  For those who are unable to attend our Meetings, please mail in your Dues and Updates using the - Membership Application Form - and use the address shown on the Form.  For our Potential Members – here is hoping that you will be joining us as a new Annual Member or Life Member.  Our Chapter Roster is periodically adjusted as follows:  Inactive and Potential Members who have remained so for more than 3 years will be eliminated from the e-mail postings.

MEMBERSHIP CLARIFICATION:  Annual Alamo Chapter Membership becomes Inactive unless updated Annually.  Life Membership - is an option.  Our Alamo Chapter VHPA is one of many chapters that have been sanctioned under the guidelines of VHPA National.  Chapter Memberships are tracked and maintained separately from the VHPA National data base.  Active Membership can be with either or both organizations.  For reference – this web site (Policy for All Chapters); (Article of Incorporation); and (BYLAWS of the Alamo Chapter). 

The National VHPA Directory can be found at https://www.vhpa.org.

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Upcoming Monthly Luncheons / Dinners / Events

Please update your calendars and mental plans for the following upcoming events:

 

 

Future VHPA Reunion Dates and Locations

                                                         2026:  August 3 -8  Galt House, Louisville, Kentuckey

                                                         2027:  July 5 - 12  Denver Sheraton, Colorado

                                                         2028:  July 3 - 10  Dallas Sheraton, Texas

                                                         2029:  Potential Future Sites - New Orleans, LA; Reno, NV; San Antonio, TX;

                                                                      Kansas City, KS

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Good Evening fellow Alamo Chapter Members, Potential Members and Better Halves.

I do thank everyone who has already indicated they plan to attend the Oct 30th Chapter Quarterly General Membership Business Meeting,  but - no doubt there are others who enjoy procrastinating!  I have to turn in a total attendance count on October 27^th - so Sunday evening October the 26^th is the absolute NLT date that I can accept any further RSVPs.  Your RSVP e-mail to attend should include the names of everyone attending with you, and the license plate number of the vehicle you plan to drive on the 30th of October.  My e-mail acknowledgement returned to you is your conformation that I have you on the list.

The location is "Hero's Hall" upstairs in the Water's Edge Bldg., here at the Army Residence Community (ARC).  Due to the main gate for the ARC being renovated, you need to set your GPS for the alternate gate - which is 8960 Miller Rd., 78239.   A map for the alternate gate is attached.  The Gate Guard will have a list with your name(s) and vehicle license #.  From the gate, drive straight past the STOP sign, then turn left at the large stone sign - continue down to the parking area.  Enter Water's Edge building and go up the stairs or take the elevator to the 2^nd floor.

The ARC will cater A Tex/Mex themed buffet, consisting of the following:  Chicken Fajitas, Pork Carnitas, Charro Beans, Spanish Rice, Bunuelos, and Pineapple Empanadas / Sweet Potato Empanadas.  Sides will include:  Shredded Lettuce, Diced Tomatoes, Pico de Gallo, Lime Wedges, Queso Fresco, Chile Toreados, Chips & Salsa. Bringing your own wine and/or beer will be permitted.  Mixed Sodas will be provided.  The cost per person for the buffet is $26.00.  This amount will be collected at the meeting.   Please - exact currency if possible (no credit cards or checks). 
 

At this meeting:  1. Normal Board Member presentations will be presented;  2.  Future 2026 Board Members (a Vice President and a Jr. Member at Large) are to be nominated and voted for.  Volunteers are encouraged!;  3.  Dave Shelby will present an interesting proposal to be discuss and to be voted on;  4.  Rex Gooch, one of our Author members will introduce his latest publication;  5.  Tim Worley will cover what to expect for the upcoming Nov 8th "Veterens Day Parade" in San Antonio; and 6.  Dave Sherrard, our current Vice President has been invited to highlight what he foresees for our Chapter while he is our 2026 President.

Thank you.

          Jim Boykin

‘25 Senior Member @ Large   
     and Dining Coordinator
blackcat221972@gmail.com
     Phone 210.401-6559

(This Ph. is not Text Capable)

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Hello fellow Alamo Chapter Members, Potential Members and better halves.  Here is a breakdown of All the Events currently planned for our Alamo Chapter through the end of 2025.

1.  Saturday - Nov 8th:  Veterans Day Parade in San Antonio - with Alamo Chapter members.  (Note:  See detailed information following this section)

2.  Thursday - Nov 20th:  Monthly Chapter Luncheon.  Time:  11:00 AM.  Location:  Gennaro's Trattoria in Startzville - at Cayon Lake.  (Space will be limited to a total of 35, so don't delay your RSVP!)

3.  Saturday - Dec 6th:  Alamo Chapter Annual Christmas Party.  Time:  5 - 8:30 PM.  Location:  Hero's Hall here at the ARC.  (Plans include a catered buffet)  More details will follow. 

Remember – www.vhpa-alamo.com is your always source for information.  Thank you.

           Jim Boykin
‘25 Senior Member @ Large   
     and Dining Coordinator
blackcat221972@gmail.com
     Phone 210.401-6559

(This Ph. is not Text Capable)

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Saturday – Nov 8:  Veterans Day Parade in San Antonio – Alamo Chapter will participate.

 

I'm excited to share this planned event with you for November 8th.  San Antonio is hosting a fantastic Veterans Day parade downtown, and our chapter is joining in once again!

 

This year’s parade is set to be amazing, featuring units from all military services, first responders, high school ROTC groups, and lots of bands. Just like last year, it’s going to be a blast, and we've officially decided to participate again.

 

We'll have a vehicle with a trailer, and we'll provide chairs for folks to sit on, both in the truck bed and on the trailer. You can choose to ride or walk alongside, engaging with the crowd and handing out flags. The parade route is 1.1 miles long, starting at Houston St and I-35, heading north up Houston St, turning left on Jefferson St, and wrapping up at Travis Park. The parade kicks off at noon, and we're slotted as the 33rd unit. With a leisurely pace of about 2 miles per hour, it should take about an hour to finish.

 

My house is just four blocks from the end of the parade route, making it a perfect spot to gather and decorate the vehicle before heading to the lineup. I need at least eight volunteers to help with the decorations – the more, the merrier! If you'd like to park at my place and ride to the starting point and back, you're more than welcome. Otherwise, meet us at the lineup point by 11:00 am.

 

After the parade, we’re having a celebration at the VFW on 10th Street. Everyone's invited, and you don't need to be a VFW member to join the fun.

 

Let’s make this event unforgettable and show our support for our veterans. Can’t wait to see you all there!

 

                 Tim Worley

2024 Past President / Shirts Ordering &

 Chapter Veterans Day Parade Coordinator

210-354-4844

 

 

 

 

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Note to Inactive Members:  If you are not sure of your status – go to our website – www.vhpa-alamo.com , and the “MEMBERS PAGE”.  To become a current Active Member – your $25.00 annual membership effective January 2025 will cover ONLY January - December of the year you become or renew Active Membership.  There is always the option to become a Life Member.  Just complete a “Membership Application Form” from the Application Section, and mail it in with your payment. 

 

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For all your Alamo Chapter Shirt questions or needs:  Contact - Tim Worley  rew4921@msn.com / Ph. 210.354-4844

For those who are interested in ordering Alamo Chapter Name Tags:  Contact - Mike Clark  clarkmb2@gmail.com / Ph. 602.510-9431

Just stay tuned, and monitor this web-site for upcoming event details as they become available.  Thank you. 

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Reminder - Bring your Alamo Chapter magnetic/plastic Name Tags when attending all of our chapter functions.

                      

                                                 Do hope that everyone remains vigilant, safe, and healthy.

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Monthly Luncheon Background:  The monthly luncheon idea started in 2016 with the VHPA Ladies of the Alamo Chapter organizing their own monthly luncheons - just so they could have more time to visit and better get to know each other.  After a few months - the Men learned how much the Ladies were enjoying themselves, and decided to try and do the same thing!

Thus the idea for separate monthly luncheons for most months, then for a change of pace we plan both a Spring and Fall Combined luncheon.  All of these monthly luncheons are scheduled completely separate from the General Membership Business Meeting/Dinners.  So far – all of our Combined Luncheons have been at more upscale restaurants - because it appeals to our lady folks.

Ladies who want to learn more about the VHPA Ladies of the Alamo Chapter - please contact  Janet-Anne Boykin
 at Ph. (210) 414-7464 / boykinjnja@gmail.com

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Note:  A Questionnaire was sent out to our membership requesting them to identify any given Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday that just will not work for attending our Monthly Luncheons.  The resulted matrix shows that Thursdays are the most difficult, but Tuesdays and Wednesdays are equally divided as suited for future luncheon days.
 
With this information, it has been suggested that alternating monthly luncheons between Tuesdays and Wednesdays will give the greatest opportunity for the most participants to attend.
 
Details for our Membership Monthly Luncheons; General Membership-Business meetings/dinners; Monthly Luncheons for the VHPA Ladies of the Alamo Chapter; and our Annual Christmas Party will be scheduled separately by date on these pages.  

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Those just wanting to follow events and plans for our Alamo Chapter of the VHPA - please monitor this web site.

Application for Annual Membership or Life Membership is located in the section labeled -
Membership Application Page

Print PDF Membership Application Form; complete all applicable blanks; and mail it to -

Alamo Chapter of the VHPA
P.O. Box 10085
San Antonio, Texas 78210-0085