Excalibur Chapter 176
November 3, 2006
Edition #4-06
Dear Friends:
Didn’t we just have the Christmas season last month? It seems we have to start planning out holidays back in April now just to be caught up when it gets here! We can always say, “I’ll do better next year!”
Before I get into what’s happened since August and what’s going to happen between now and February, I just want to remind everyone about something. The purpose of this newsletter is to keep you informed. There have been a few incidents over the years when we had to change the meeting schedule at the last minute because of an event in the area that everyone needs to participate in. In most cases, if we have enough advance notice, we will tell you about it here SO YOU CAN MARK YOUR CALENDAR. If we can’t get it in the newsletter in time, we will post notices at the local VFW’s or send you a notice. It’s impossible to try to call everyone the week of the scheduled meeting and tell you it’s been changed. Enough said.
We had a great turnout for the MDA telethon in September. Everyone who participates with the telethon always counts their blessings afterward. It is truly a labor of love and one which we look forward to each year. Of course, our chapter made a sizeable donation in addition to working the phones that morning.
I hope everyone read the awesome stories about the NCOA Vanguard Award winners in the summer issue of the NCOA Journal. We have been privileged in the past to have met many of the former awardees and they make you proud to be part of our American military. If you haven’t read the article, go back and do so. If you need a copy of the Journal, come to the November meeting and get one!
Excalibur Chapter Officers
Chairman: Carl Johnson Vice Chairman: Don Holland
Secretary: Vicky Hensley Treasurer: Sharon Gavin
Trustees: Jerrid Caverly, Bill Toornburg, Bob Rohr
Lady Guinevere Auxiliary Chairman: Gloria Martinez
Special Advisors: Past Grand Knight Troy Hensley
There are lots of events coming up over the next few months but here are some highlights of what to expect.
ABILENE VETERANS DAY PARADE
Veterans Day (originally Armistice Day) is one of the few national holidays that haven’t been moved to fall on a Monday. The Armistice for World War I was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Therefore, Veterans Day will always be held on November 11th. This year, it falls on a Saturday and it promises to be bigger than ever. Frontier Texas is helping promote the parade and they would like to have 1000 flags carried by patriotic people who appreciate the freedoms we hold so dear. If you want to carry a flag during the parade, contact them at (325) 437-2800. Grand Marshal will be Sgt.Maj. Troy Hensley, USMC(ret.) and he is looking forward to representing the veterans of Abilene, Texas. Bring the kids or grandkids out to see all the floats and I’m sure they might catch a glimpse of Santa too!
THANKSGIVING
Each year, veterans’ organizations turn out to help serve a Thanksgiving meal to those less fortunate at the Civic Center on Thanksgiving Day. There is always something to do, some way to help, so if you have even just an hour to donate, come to the Abilene Civic Center (the earlier the better) to help serve, greet, and assist those who have no where else to go on that special day. One year, I sent the guys out to the Civic Center to help so I had more room in my kitchen! I also didn’t have to worry about them sampling anything before it was ready! (Just a hint, ladies) It’s another great way to show you appreciate the blessings you have. For those of you who will be spending the day or weekend with family, please drive safely.
HOSPICE TREE
Each year, we have one day during December where we take donations at the Mall of Abilene for Angels for the Hospice Tree. This is an amazing organization whose sole mission is to help terminal cancer patients and their families during their last days. Even though many treatments have been developed, a total cure is not available and all of us know someone who has passed away this past year alone from it. Recently, the Scribe for the NCOA Knights of the Square Table has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Jim Barker lives in Washington State and was the picture of health in August when we saw him at the NCOA Business Meeting. The exact date of when we’ll be working is unknown at this time but we normally have it the last week before Christmas. If you want to help by manning the table for a 2 hour shift, call Carl Johnson at 698-0603 or come to the membership meeting to sign up.
TOYS FOR TOTS
Nationwide, the Marine Corps Reserve has a toy drive to help provide Christmas for needy children. There are containers at all the major stores, the VFW’s and other locations where you can drop off a new, unwrapped toy. You can also make a donation to any Marine in uniform who is standing outside one of these stores. They usually announce via newspaper, radio and TV exactly where they’ll be on any given weekend. Help make a difference in a child’s Christmas and give a toy (or two!).
ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET & CHRISTMAS PARTY
Each year, we have a special night in December for our General Membership Meeting. We try to recognize those members of Excalibur Chapter and Lady Guinevere Chapter who have worked hard all year to put us and NCOA on top. It’s a chance to dress for the season and enjoy a great meal. We need an accurate count of who will be attending so enough food can be prepared so make your reservations at the membership meeting in November or call Carl Johnson at 698-0603 or myself, Vicky Hensley at 743-2195. This year, we will be charging $3 per person or $5 per couple for the meal. The girls go all out and spend all day preparing our dinner. See ya there! Oh, and bring a toy for Toys for Tots. I’m sure we can find a Marine there who will take care of it!
UNSERVICEABLE AMERICAN FLAGS
I have mentioned in previous newsletters that we were starting a program to help collect unserviceable American flags throughout Abilene and the surrounding areas. The drop box is finished (and it looks AWESOME!) but the final location has yet to be determined. We are hoping to mount it in front of KRBC-TV studios on South 14th Street (across from Albertsons). Look for details on that station or in the paper. The flags will be collected regularly and turned over to organizations that regularly have a Flag Burning Ceremony. Many people know they can’t just throw a flag away but aren’t sure what to do with it. We’re just trying to make it easier for everyone who wants to do the right thing with this symbol of our great country.
TET REUNION
The annual TET Reunion will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2007 at the Taylor County Fairgrounds. Doors open at noon with the program starting about an hour later. An early evening meal is available for a nominal donation. In addition to vendors selling military orientated wares, many military organizations are there to answer questions or take your membership application. People attend from all over the United States (even Alaska!) and we’re hoping that some special NCOA folks from out of state will be there also. We’ve had incidents of someone finding someone they hadn’t seen since Vietnam! It’s open to all veterans and their families so mark your (new) calendar now and plan to attend!
MEMBERSHIP IS IMPORTANT!
As all of us know, military benefits are constantly under siege by Congress. Cuts to the military budgets are threatened all the time. The one way we can ensure they don’t take away what we were promised when we enlisted is to belong to the NCOA. We are one of the most respected military fraternal organizations in Washington DC and Congress knows we fight tooth and nail to keep our benefits intact. But we have to keep our membership numbers up and too many veterans are willing to let someone else do the work. That’s why it’s important to be a member of NCOA and encourage others to do the same. Congress is always trying to cut the VA budget and we have more need of its services that ever with the veterans who are returning daily from Iraq and the War on Terror. Always keep a membership application in your wallet or purse and let your friends know that they shouldn’t wait until their benefits are gone to do something. Your membership in NCOA is the best preventative there is!
BINGO ANYONE?
The Excalibur Chapter is the #1 Chapter within the NCOA because the proceeds we receive from bingo helps us help others. And we have great news!!! You can play any evening at Ambler Bingo located on Ambler Drive and we will receive funds. You no longer have to worry about what night or what session benefits our Chapter. Bingo sessions start at 7 PM & 8:30 PM on Monday thru Thursday and 6 PM and 7:30 PM on Friday thru Sunday. It’s always fun and if you’re not sure about something, there’s always someone nearby to help. You never know, it may be your lucky evening!
SAVE THOSE CANS!
We have always had a policy of saving aluminum cans and turning them in for recycling. All proceeds goes to the NCOA Disaster Relief Fund. If you have a bunch of cans on hand and want to help out, just call a board member and we’ll come get them. You can also bring them to a meeting. They don’t have to be crushed but we do ask that they are in plastic garbage bags. We are normally able to donate about $1000 at the Annual Business Meeting through our efforts.
CONTACT US!
This newsletter is published every February, May, August, and November. With all the events for veterans in Abilene, it’s difficult to keep abreast of what’s going on. Please feel free to contact me, Vicky Hensley, at 325-743-2195 (not long distance from Abilene) if you know of something that needs to be added to our newsletter. You can also e-mail me at TroyandVicky@aol.com but be sure to put NCOA in the subject line.
CERTIFIED MERCHANTS
The Abilene Chapters of the NCOA have the #1 Local Certified Merchant Program within the entire NCOA! This is due to the hard work of Committee Chairpersons Patricia Gursky and Bob Wessels. We currently have 64 businesses that are willing to offer you a discount on their product or services just because you’re a member of NCOA! Pat and Bob are adding new ones every month! These are all in addition to the national certified merchants such as Lens Crafters. You can get your car repaired, buy tires and get it washed; you can go out for a quick snack or have a fancy dinner and stop for ice cream afterwards; you can get repairs to your home done while you attend driving school; the list goes on and on! Let’s show our appreciation to these fine merchants by patronizing their businesses. All you have to do to get your discount is SHOW YOUR MEMBER-SHIP CARD! A list of these merchants is always included with this newsletter. Keep it handy.
VOLUNTEER HOURS
One way we are able to maintain our #1 Chapter status is by keeping track of all the hours our members spend helping others. If you are not able to attend a meeting, just fill out the form below and send it to NCOA, P O Box 2595, Abilene TX 79604. Each quarter, we submit to Headquarters a total count of hours, miles driven and monies donated. Because the NCOA is Federal Chartered by Congress, these totals become part of each year’s Congressional Record.
VOLUNTEER HOURS DATE: ________________
NAME: ___________________________________ MEMBERSHIP #____________
ACTIVITY: HOURS / MILES / DONATION
______________________________________________ _____________
______________________________________________ _____________
______________________________________________ _____________
______________________________________________ _____________
UPCOMING EVENTS
Nov. 10th (Fri.): HAPPY 231ST BIRTHDAY, U. S. MARINE CORPS!
Nov. 11th (Sat.): VETERANS DAY! See details about the Abilene Veterans’ Day Parade within the newsletter.
Nov. 17th (Fri.): Auxiliary Meeting 6:00 PM and General Membership Meeting, 6:30 PM, VFW Post 2012 located at 2225 N 3rd St, Abilene. Meal and refreshments provided. Bring a new or potential member!
Nov. 23rd (Thurs.): HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Have a safe holiday weekend. Don’t forget about the Thanksgiving Day Meal at the Abilene Civic Center. Details in the newsletter.
Dec. 1st (Fri.): Deadline for applications for the Bettsy Ross Scholarships. Apps must be into NCOA headquarters by this day.
Dec. 7th (Thurs.): PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY. Services will be held at VFW Post 6873 across from Dyess AFB. Watch for announcements.
Dec. 15th (Fri.): CHAPTER ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET & CHRISTMAS PARTY. VFW Post 2012 located at 2225 N 3rd St, Abilene. Reservations needed. Details in the newsletter.
Dec. 25th (Mon.): MERRY CHRISTMAS! Have a safe and happy holiday!
Jan. 1st (Mon.): HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Jan. 15th (Mon.): MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLDAY! Have a safe holiday weekend.
Jan. 19th (Fri.): Auxiliary Meeting 6:00 PM and General Membership Meeting, 6:30 PM, VFW Post 2012 located at 2225 N 3rd St, Abilene. Meal and refreshments provided. Bring a new or potential member!
Feb. 3rd (Sat.): ANNUAL TET REUNION. Details in the newsletter.