Dear Members:Wow! 2006 already! Let’s all make a resolution to make every single Chapter meeting and do everything we can to show our support for Abilene and it’s veteran community.
I’m sure everyone was very busy during the Holiday season. I just hope that everyone had a chance to stop and reflect on their blessings and pray for our leaders and our service members who are on active duty serving here and abroad who couldn’t be home with loved ones.In November, the Excalibur Chapter participated in the annual Veterans’ Day Parade in Abilene. We normally work behind the scenes helping to get the parade organized. Thanks to all who helped again this year.
In December, we had our annual Christmas Awards Banquet. NCOA President Gene Overstreet was our guest speaker and was accompanied by his wife, Jeanne. His words were very moving and told of the importance of our organization and how we are constantly fighting to retain benefits for the military community. The percentage of our Congressmen and women who have never served in the military is high. The only way we can keep them informed of what’s needed is with the help of the NCOA and others like it.
We also manned the table for the Hendrix Hospice Angel Tree at the Mall of Abilene during the holidays. This is a way to help families who have a unique need and to remember a loved one who might have benefited from the special service they provide.
The NCOA lost a very special advocate in November. SgtMaj. “Mack” McKinney, USMC(ret.) passed away and was buried with honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Mack was our chief lobbyist at the National Capital Office for over 21 years and each and every veteran has been affected by his work in fighting for our rights. Mack was also a Past Grand Knight of the Knights of the Square Table.
As most of you know, our Chapter receives proceeds from bingo held at Ambler Bingo. I don’t know if people just aren’t playing bingo anymore or what, but our income has diminished quite a bit in the past few months. This is money we use to help the NCOA Disaster Relief Fund, Toys 4 Tots, and many other community activities. Let’s all make it a point to go out and play bingo at least once a month. Make sure you attend an NCOA sponsored session.
19TH ANNUAL TET REUNION
February is almost here and that means the Annual TET Reunion will be held. On Saturday, February 4th, all veterans and their families are invited to attend this event at the Taylor County Fairgrounds. The doors open at noon and there will be program starting at 1 PM. In addition to a guest speaker, there will be vendors with military related items for sale, and representatives from most of the major veteran’s organizations located in the Abilene area. A meal will be served at approximately 4 PM. Admission is free but they do ask for a donation if you plan to stay for the dinner (to help cover costs). If anyone has anything to donate for the raffle, please call me.
LET’S GO FISHING!
There will be a Veterans’ Fishing Tournament at Lake Coleman on April 8th & 9th. Details are available on fliers at VFW Post 6873. In conjunction with this, there will be a fish fry at the same post on March 24th to raise funds for the tournament. (Isn’t this a case of counting the chickens before they’re hatched – cooking the fish before they’re caught!!!)
NATIONAL CEMETERY COMING TO ABILENE
Most of you have heard about this in the news but the final preparations of the cemetery are in sight. It will be located off FM 600 on the north side of Abilene. Governor Rick Perry will be making the dedication. Watch the news for details.
SAVE THOSE CANS!!!
Remember to save your aluminum cans. Proceeds from their sale will be donated to the NCOA Disaster Relief Fund at the next convention. Just bring them to a meeting in a plastic bag (crushed or uncrushed) and someone will take it from there. The Disaster Fund is used to help members in need due to a natural disaster like the hurricanes that hit the Gulf Coast.
CONTACT US!
We are making every effort to include all the news about the Excalibur Chapter and about our activities in Abilene. To help you keep me informed of any special event or news, please contact me at TroyandVicky@aol.com (make sure you put NCOA or Excalibur Chapter in the subject line) or call me at (325) 743-2195 (not long distance from Abilene).
BINGO ANYONE?
For those of you who like to play bingo, remember to play so that it benefits our Chapter. We sponsor bingo games at the Ambler Bingo on Monday evening at 7:00 P.M. (1st session), Wednesday evening at 8:30 P.M. (2nd session), and Friday evening at 6:00 P.M. (1st session). This is the primary source of funds for our chapter and attendance is way down. As long as you’re going to play, why not help the NCOA? If you haven’t come out yet but would like to try your luck, there’s always experienced players who are willing to guide you. And you never know, it may be your lucky evening!!!
CERTIFIED MERCHANTS
Most of you are aware of the National Certified Merchants Program sponsored by the NCOA. Some of these merchants include Lens Crafters and FedEx. We also have many local merchants willing to give all NCOA members a discount for their services. They are listed in each newsletter along with the discount you will receive. We encourage all members to take advantage of this program. You must show your NCOA membership card to receive your discount. The Certified Merchant Coordinator is Pat Gursky and she is assisted by Bob Wessels. If you know of any business that would like to be included, please call her at 692-7223. And make sure you express your thanks to any certified merchants you utilize! Let them know we appreciate their support. WE HAVE THE #1 CERTIFIED MERCHANT PROGRAM WITHIN NCOA! LATELY, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW CERTIFIED MERCHANTS EVERY MONTH!
VOLUNTEER HOURS
Don’t forget to keep track of your volunteer hours. They don’t have to be at an NCOA sponsored event. Such things as delivering Meals on Wheels, helping at a nursing home or anything you do that helps others can count. We record these hours and submit them to headquarters on a regular basis. Because of our Federal Charter, they are also recorded in the Congressional Record. This is one case where we need everyone to blow his or her own horn. A sign up sheet is available at all general membership meetings. If you are unable to attend any meeting, use the form below and send it to the address on the newsletter envelope.