JOIN VVA and AVVA

The business session will begin immediately after the meal is finished. Topics to be discussed will include: Veterans' issues updates; Committee reports; Legislative news; Fundraising ideas; Upcoming events; Membership's plans & goals for VVA # 278; Upcoming events and set-ups; etc.

Remember: Sunday, Ocotber 18 at 1:30 pm at the American Legion Post at 525 East Broad Street. We hope to see you there! This is your chapter, take part in it! Bring your ideas on what you would like to see this, your chapter, doing!

The business session will start immediately after the meal and topics to be discussed will include: Veterans' issues updates; Committee reports; Legislative news; Upcoming events; etc., etc.

Remember: Sunday, November 15 at 1:30 pm at the American Legion Post. We hope to see you there!!

VVA # 278 has 2-year (2010-2011) pocket calendars for sale @ $3.00 each or two for $5.00. these are on hand now. We also elected to try the Vietnam Veteran poppies as a fundraiser. These poppies are in the colors of the Vietnam Campaign ribbon -red, yellow and green. They are made by disabled Vietnam veterans. Both of these items will be available at the meetings.

Since the first of the year (2009) we have 6 members who haven't renewed and their membership has lapsed. They are: John Barros, Gary Lee Dorsey, Tommy Rutherford, Angela Honea, Tom Powers, and Timothy Fultz. We hope this was an oversight, we really want to keep our VVA 278 family intact as much as possible! If it is financial, let us know, we may be able to help.
Together then, together now!!

Join VVA & AVVA.

There are 3349 Americans unaccounted for from World War I. There are approximately 78,611 Americans unaccounted for from World War II. There are 8124 Americans unaccounted for from the Korean War. There are 120 Americans unaccounted for from the Cold War. There is one American, Ahmed Altaie, unaccounted for from Operation Iraqi Freedom, and one American, Bowe Berghal, unaccounted for from Operation Eduring Freedom in Afghanistan. As you may know the one American who was unaccounted for from Operation Desert Storm, Scott Spiecher, was found, returned and identified and buried in the United States!

As far as I'm concerned the 22nd Annual POW/MIA Vigil was a complete success. We had pretty good attendance at each of the services and an excellent turnout at the "Ride to Remember" and the following service. Allan Jackson, son of Vietnam MIA, Navy avaitor Carl E. Jackson, missing since June 27, 1965, was with us and shared a few words during our service. Thanks Allan! I want to thank all of those who participated in this event, we will not forget nor will we let America forget! A special thanks to Mike Carter who got us the heluim for the balloon release!

The 23rd Annual POW/MIA Vigil will be held September 3 & 4, 2010, Labor Day weekend. We hope to see you there again!!

WE WILL NEVER FORGET!! WILL YOU?

After the parade local McDonald's owner Tom Sadowski will again provide a free meal to all veterans at his local McDonald's outlets (Texarkana, Atlanta and Ashdown). VVA # 278 will be at the one on Richmond Road across from Central Mall. This is the 21st year Tom has done this. THANKS TOM!!!

To reserve a slot in the parade, please call 870/773-8279, 870/773-1078, or 903/832-4566 or e-mail USMCgreg@aol.com. Line-up starts at 10:00 a.m. So far this looks to be a great parade, lots of interest!

VVA # 278's delegates are: Homer Harvin, Billy Walker, and Fisher Plymale. Our alternates are: Donna Carmeli and Freddie Weathers.

The new van is in service and the old van is being used to transport needy veterans to the Texarkana VA Outpatient Clinic, especially those outside of the Texarkana bus line service area. To schedule a ride on one of the vans call the following numbers: To ride the van to Shreveport call: 1-800-863-7441, Ext 7025. To get a ride on the local van call 318-286-6735

Our next Chili Cook-of is scheduled for February 19, 2010 at the Truman Arnold Center at the Texarkana College.

Help us help veterans!

Registration is $25 for delegates and $20 for guests. Checks should be made out to:
VVA # 1000
P.O. Box 2123
Harker Heights, TX 76548

Contact Don Kennedy at: badmoonrising69@aol.com or 254-760-0793. Cut-off date for resrvations and registrations is February 1, 2010

Veterans working together for Veterans.

October 10 & 11: Quadrangle Festival

October 18: VVA #278 meeting

November 5: TAVC meeting

November 7: Veterans Day Parade. Theme: "Leave no Veteran Behind"

November 10: Marine Corps 234th birthday

November 11: Veterans Day

November 15: VVA # 278 meeting

December 3: TAVC meeting

December 20: VVA #278 meeting

January 7, 2010: TAVC meeting

January 17: VVA #278 meeting

February 12-14: VVA TSC meeting

February 19: TAVC Chili Cook-off

February 21: VVA #278 meeting

March 21: VVA #278 meeting

Proposition 1: The constitutional amendment authorizing the financing, including through tax increment financing , of the acquistion by municipalities and counties of buffer areas or open spaces adjacent to a military installation for the prevention of encroachment or for the construction of roadways, utilities, or other infrastructure to protect or promote the mission of the military installation.

Propostion 2: The constitutional amendmnet authorizing the legislature to provide for ad valorem taxation of a residence homestead soley on the basis of the property's value as a residence homestead.

Proposition 3: The constitutional amendment providing the uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes.

Proposition 4: The constitutional amendment establishing the national research university fund to enable emerging research universities in this state to achieve national prominence as major research universities and transferring the balance of the higher education fund to the national research university fund.

Proposition 5: The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to authorize a single board of equalization for two or more adjoining appraisal entities that elect to provide for a consolidated equalization.

Proposition 6: The constitutional amendment authorizing the Veterans Land Board to issue general obligation bonds in amounts equal to or less than amounts previously authorized.

Proposition 7: The constitutional amendment to allow an officer or enlisted member of the Texas State guard or other state militia or military force to hold other civil offices.

Proposition 8: The constitutional amendment authorizing the state to contribute money, property, or other resources for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of veterans hospitals in this state.

Propostion 9: The constitutional amendment to protect the right of the public, individually and collectively, to access and use the public beaches bordering the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico.

Proposition 10: The constitutional amendment to provide that elected members of the governing boards of emergency services districts may serve terms not to exceed four years

Proposition 11: The constitutional amendment to prohibit the taking, damaging, or destroying of private property for public use unless the action is for the ownership, use, and enjoyment of the property by the State, a polotocal subdivision of the State, the public at large, or entities granted the owner of eminent domain under law for the elimination of urban blight on a particular parcel of property, but not for certain economic development or enhancement of tax revenue purposes, and to limit the legislature's authority to grant the power of eminent domain to an entity.

REMEMBER TEXANS: Vote on Tuesday, November 3, 2009!