meetingplace

April 2014 Meeting Notice

On April 15, 2014 the Korean War Veterans Association, Chapter 189 will hold its monthly Meeting at the John E. Mealy Memorial VFW Post in Port Orange, Florida.

Members arriving for lunch can arrive at 12:00 and choose their meal from the VFW Bar Menu, and socialize during the meal. The regular KWVA Business Meeting will begin at 1:00 PM.

The Speaker for our meeting this month will be Mike White, Veterans Affairs Director for Volusia County. Recently the members of the Board of Directors for KWVA Chapter 189 have been discussing what we might do to develop a permanent memorial to Korean War Veterans from this area. At the Korean War Veterans Get Together on April 5th at the VFW in New Smyrna, Mike White spoke briefly on his new position to help organize the Veterans Memorial Park, that is being planned in conjunction with the development of the New Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Halifax River. One of Mike's tasks is to coordinate the development of the Veterans Memorial Park with the Veterans Organizations in the area. It looks like Mike was the very individual we were seeking to provide a vision on what is being planned for the Veterans Memorial Park and how we might, as a Chapter, cooperate with that project. I spoke with Mike and he kindly agreeded to come to our April meeting and speak on the subject. As this is a subject that effects all of the veterans in the area we will be inviting some of the other Veterans Organizations in the area to attend and hear the story. As you know from past appearances Mike is a very dynamic speaker and has faithfully served the Veterans of Volusia County over a number of years. Come and bring your frinds and lets see what type of Veterans Memorial is being planned and how we might help. (See Postcard Notice 4-1-2014 on Recent Events Page).

Over the past several weeks two major events were held to honor Veterans in our area. The first was the "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans" held at the John E. Mealy Memorial VFW Post 3282 in Port Orange on March 29th. Although the gathering was designed to provide a welcome homecoming for the Vietnam era veterans, a large number of Veterans from many conflicts showed up to pay respect. Although I do not know what the official attendance was it ran to several hundred. It was a wonderful celebration complete with a parade, and the organization and program was outstanding. The rain held off until after the ceremonies were completed and there was food, drink, and comradeship in abundance for the rest of the afternoon.

On April 5th the members of the VFW Post in New Smyrna held a Korean War Get Together to honor the Veterans of the
Forgotten War. The New Smyrna Post went out of its way to throw a wonderful gathering. Again I have no way of knowing how many Veterans and their wifes showed up but there were over 150. The party was held in the their tent behind the Post and was extremely well organized. Again the food and drink was plentiful and everyone had a fantastic time.

In both of these events it was Veterans honoring Veterans and they could not have done a better job. I hope everyone in the Chapter had a chance to attend one or both of these events. This is what it is all about.

It is never too early to pay your 2014 dues - If you have not participated yet please send your check for $10 to KWVA, POB 214005, South Daytona 32121. Stay connected send your e-mail to KWVA189@earthlink.net, or see Bob Hawes in person at the March 18th meeting.

During the past several months the Chapter has looking for venues to present the "Tell America." We still have an invitation from the Navy ROTC Program at Embry-Riddle that we need to complete. If you know an organization that might want to learn about the history of the Korean War please contact Bob McGuire and he will be pleased to set up a presentation.

Sick Call: As I write these notes, several of our Chapter 189 mainstays have been hospitalized. Bob Balzer a former President of the KWVA Department of Florida, and a good friend of our Chapter, is currently plagued with a number of serious problems. Please keep Bob and his wife Rose Balzer, is also in a nursing home in Port Orange in your prayers. Our Chapters 1st Vice President Tony Polemeni is currently undergoing a series of Oncology and Radiology Treatments. We would like to send our prayers for Tony's health and wish him a speedy and complete recovery. Ruth Heaphy is still in recovering from a shoulder injury and we hope to have her join us soon after her complete recovery.