July 2006

To Members, Family, Friends, and Supporters:

We’ve all heard the adage change is a constant. Well, our chapter recently experienced change in two officer positions – the Vice President and Sergeant of Arms.

In late June the call went out to the membership for nominations to fill the vacant Vice President position. But then we received the sad and tragic news about the death of our brother, Larry “Bear” Hughes.  So, at the July meeting, the membership had both the Vice President and Sergeant-of-Arms positions to fill.

I am happy to report that two long-term Chapter members have stepped forward to serve in these two important leadership roles.  Jim Huggins, was elected as the Chapter’s Vice President and, Lou “Pitbull” Correa, was elected as Sergeant-of-Arms. Congratulations, Jim and Lou. I look forward to working closely with both of you to achieve our Chapter’s goals and objectives.

Many of you know that Pitbull and Bear had a very special life-long friendship. Having Pitbull, as our Sergeant-of-Arms is a fitting tribute to his “twin” brother Bear. Bear will always be with us in spirit and having Pitbull serving the remainder of his term as Sergeant-of-Arms is an honorable tribute to his life-long friend and brother.

Much has already happened this year as we participated in numerous community events and activities. In May, Chapter 785 added to its legacy of “Veterans helping Veterans” by providing a water and nutrition point for the Central Route in Run For The Wall 2006 on its 10-day journey to Washington DC. In my comments after being elected president, I mentioned that your personal involvement, your dedication, and your friendship are what make us who we are. Many of you this year have overwhelmingly demonstrated this by your participation, leadership, and actions.

I am honored to serve with you in helping our fellow Veterans.

God bless America, and God bless the Members, Family, Friends, and Supporters of Chapter 785.

Harry P. Parmer

Audaces juvo. Clarior hinc honos.

E-Mail Harry~ HarryP@vva785.org

April 2006

To Members, Family, Friends, and Supporters:

Welcome home. It is indeed an honor to be given the opportunity to lead this great chapter of veterans helping veterans. Thank you for your vote of trust and confidence.

Our outgoing president, Greg Young, deserves our recognition and thanks for his superb leadership and passionate dedication. G-Man promoted and supported many innovative initiatives that enabled our chapter to set new standards of excellence.

We should also recognize and thank our outgoing officers - Ken Snow, Bruce Pilch, Kenny Pozirek, Lew Elliott, and Director of Membership, Mike Casillas. Each of these fine gentlemen demonstrated commendable leadership "In service to America" and exhibited a tenacious commitment to the principle of "never again shall one generation of veterans abandon another."

One can say that our chapter is like a ship and that every member ought to be ready to take the helm. Well, here are the new officers that have answered this calling - Vice President Wayne Nicholls, Secretary Jerry Nostadt, Sergeant-of-Arms Larry Hughes, Chaplain Jim Huggins, and Director of Membership John Boyle. They will join with one of the chapter's plank owners, Pete Sandro, who will continue his outstanding service as our Treasurer. Together, these fine veterans will build on the tradition of dedicated service that has become the legacy of the collective membership of Chapter 785.

In the upcoming year we will continue to support the numerous programs, events, and activities that have become the hallmark of Chapter 785. We will continue to build and to expand our collaboration with other veterans groups that have an interest in helping veterans. We will also continue to reach out to our brothers and sisters who have yet to receive their "Welcome Home," and we will continue to strengthen our special bond with our Vietnamese-American community who gave so much in their struggle for freedom and independence.

I foresee an exciting year ahead us and want each of you to know that your involvement, your dedication, and your friendship is what makes us who we are. So let us all join together in rededication to honor those who have gone before us and to honor those who are now serving. Never again shall one generation of veterans abandon another.

God bless America, and God bless the Members, Family, Friends, and Supporters of Chapter 785.

Harry P. Parmer

Audaces juvo. Clarior hinc honos.

"Never again shall one generation of veterans abandon another."   

Members-of-Honor