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 January 2026, we have 58 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 71 Alamo Chapter Members posted on our Roster. 

Lest we forget - if you are not a Life Member, or have not mailed in 2026 Annual Alamo Chapter Due (good only from January - December) Please do so!  NOTE:  Annual Membership increased to $25.00 - effective January 2025.  Not sure of your status then checkout the Members - Current and Remembered 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 5 - 8  Galt House, Louisville, Kentucky

 

2027:  July 7 - 12  Denver Sheraton, Colorado

 

2028:  July 5 - 8  Dallas Sheraton, Texas

 

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

San Antonio, TX;  Kansas City, KS

 

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Posted on Friday (Jul 24th):  Good Afternoon fellow Alamo Chapter Members, Potential Members, and Better Halves.

Council Meeting Notes for July 15th have been posted. 

We have several Chapter events coming up that should be marked on your calendars as a reminder.

1. Wednesday - July 29th at 9:00 AM:  Rescheduled “Unaccompanied Veterans Memorial Ceremony” hosted by Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.  Hopefully the weather will be favorable this time!  As always – this is a great opportunity to let San Antonio know who we are!  The Ceremony starts promptly at 9:00 AM, so try Not to be Late.

2. August 5-8: VHPA Annual Reunion in Louisville, KY.  Our Alamo Chapter will have a couple of tables at the Banquet.  Looking forward to seeing everybody that attends.

3. Wednesday – Sep 9th at 11:15 AM:  Rick Throckmorton has arranged for our next Monthly Luncheon at Salsalito Cantina Restaurant located on Nacogdoches Rd. More details will be sent out as a separate e-mail posting. 

4. October 12-14: Mineral Wells Trip.  Bob Dillion has coordinated a 3-night stay at the Crazy Water Hotel.  Details were e-mailed out on July 23rd, and will also be posted on our website:  www.vhpa-alamo.com .  Events for those dates yet to be sent out - should make this a very enjoyable opportunity for our Chapter’s shared memories. 

5. November:  General Membership (with Better Halves) Business Meeting / Election of 2027 Board Members / Diner / Possible Guest Speaker.  Location and data yet to be determined.

6. Friday - December 04: Annual Alamo Chapter VHPA Christmas Gathering.  Details to be posted later. 

OK – there you have all the current scheduled Chapter Events being planned through the end of 2026.  Be sure to note these dates on your calendar. 

Thank you.

               Jim Boykin

‘26 Mid-Term Member @ Large   

     and Dining Coordinator

blackcat221972@gmail.com

     Phone 210.401-6559

(This Ph. Is not Text Capable)

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August 5 - 8, 2026:  VHPA Annual Reunion will held at the Galt House, Louisville, Kentucky

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Wednesday - Sept 09, 2026:  Monthly Luncheon

Attention all Members, Potential Members, Better Halves and any guests.  Now is the time to mark our next luncheon/event scheduled for September 9th at 11:15 AM as a highlight on your calendar.

Your RSVP response is needed due to an attendance accountability requirement of 1 week prior to the actual event.  Rick Throckmorton has volunteered to sponsor the September luncheon, and he will be the primary point of contact for this special event.  Please note his contact information at the end of this message for all correspondence pertaining to this luncheon.   .

This event will take place at The Salsalito Cantina Resturant, 14535 Nacogdoches Rd, San Antonio, TX 7824, San Antonio, Tx.  Their private room can easily accommodate up to 60 and will be available to us at 11:15 AM.  Go to https://www.salsalito-sa.com to view their extensive menu choices, and also the driving directions if you need it.

Please - RSVP NLT August 30th.

Thank you.

       Rick
R L Throckmorton
(805) 207-5349
Rickthrockmorton@icloud.com

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Date: Oct 12-14, 2026: Alamo Chapter planned Mineral Wells trip 

OK, what are we talking about here?  The subject of planning a group trip to Mineral Wells, TX has been kicked around now ever since the beginning of 2026.  What is going into this trip planning?  Anyone wanting to participate will need to self-drive, or share with another couple, for the trip to Mineral Wells on Oct 12th.  Then plan is to stay at the “Crazy Water Hotel” for 3 nights (Oct 12th-14th).  Local events to participate in are being planned (by Bob Dillon and Dave Sherrard) covering the evening of Oct 12th through the evening of Oct 14th.  Check out on Oct 15^th and return trip home, or whatever you want to do.  Note: actual details about the planned events while there will be discussed in future updates. 

Bob Dillion has been putting a lot of effort into planning and coordinating with the “Crazy Water Hotel” on behalf of our Alamo Chapter VHPA Membership.  But to make this actually happen – anyone who wants to participate needs to COMMIT NLT September 15th, 2026.
 
Go to http://www.thecrazywaterhotel.com for room pictures and details.  Your discounted hotel room rates and options available are as follows:
   1. There will be 9 Queen Suites at $152.10/night, or $456.30 + tax for 3 nights. 
   2. There will be 10 King Suites at $158.40/night, or $475.20 + tax for 3 nights.
   3. There is 1 King / Queen Combo package (2 separate en-suite bedrooms) which includes a common living room / kitchenet in between for $215.10/night.  This 2-bedroom combo total costs for 3 nights will be $630.30 + tax.  The Combo can be booked in only 1 name, but shared by 2 couples the divided cost for 3 nights will be $315.15 + tax per couple. 
Note: If more Members want to take advantage of the King/Queen Combo Suites - Call Bob Dillon and ask him to try and make the arrangements.

If you want to sign up – then each couple (or double couples) need to personally contact the Crazy Water Hotel NLT September 15th by calling 940-325-4605, and state that you want to book a 3-night reservation using the Code "HELICOPTER".  Your Credit Card will hold your 3-night reservation for (Oct 12th-14th) with departure on Oct 15th.  Then after completing your reservation – PLEASE call Bob Dillion at 512.799-6049, and tell him that you have made a reservation. 

On behalf of Bob Dillion – THANK YOU.  Looking forward to sharing this upcoming trip and events in Mineral Wells with you.

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November (?), 2026:  General Membership (with better halves) Business Meeting / Election of 2027 Board Members / Dinner / Possible Guest Speaker.  Location and data yet to be determined.

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Friday - December 04, 2026:  Annual Christmas Party will again be held in Hero's Hall of the Lakeside Building here at the Army Residence Community (ARC).  So update your 2026 Calendar with a big asterix - and write "This is the only plans I need for this evening!"

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Note to Inactive Members:  If you are not sure of your status - on this website - www.vhpa-alamo.com go to the "Members Page" Section.  To become a current Active Member - your $25.00 Annual Membership - effective January 2025 - covers 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.

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For all your Alamo Chapter Shirt / Cap questions or needs:  Contact - Tim Worley rew4921@msn.com / Ph. 210.354-4822

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

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

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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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