Notes from our VHPASMO President

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19 December 2011


Dear Member,

At this joyous time of year, we are grateful for you as a member of the VHPA South Missouri Chapter. We wish you abundance, happiness and peace in a new year filled with hope.

Our first meeting of the year 2012 is scheduled for March 3rd, The meeting will be held at the world head quarters of Wings of Hope, 18370 Wings of Hope Boulevard, St. Louis Airport (Spirit of St. Louis). The meeting will begin at 11:00 am, lunch will be served, cost to be determined later. Will be asking for reservations for the meeting in February 2012.

We are thankful for all our Veterans across the country. Come to the meeting, bring a guest, look forward to seeing you in St. Louis.

Happy Holidays!

Russ Emory
President

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Once again, our quarterly meeting was very well attended.  We were joined by wives and family, first time attendees, potential new members, and a new member.  The facilities at Union Station, the food, and the service were top notch.

Our guest, Mr. Bill Rieger, led an informative discussion of recent changes in our veteran’s benefits and then answered the questions asked by our members.  He is a Veterans Service Officer, with the D. A. V., and works at the V. A. Medical Center in Kansas City.  He has offered to assist our members any way he can.

The third quarterly meeting is scheduled for 13 August 2011 and will begin at 10:00am.  It will be held at the HyVee Club Room, 409 E. Nifong,  Columbia, Missouri.  At this meeting, we will be electing new officers for the next two (2) years.  A Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer will be elected.  If you have a desire to seek an office, you must notify the Chapter Council, in writing, by 15 July 2011.  To be eligible to seek, and hold an office within the Chapter, you must be a Chapter member, be dues current, and be in good standing with the national VHPA.  To be eligible to vote, you must be in attendance when the votes are cast, be a member of the South Missouri Chapter of VHPA, and be dues current with the Chapter.  Lunch at the meeting will be provided by the Chapter, so make your plans to attend, come join us as the Chapter looks to the future, and enjoy the fellowship and camaraderie that is experienced and shared wherever, and whenever we get together.

As President, let me express my gratitude to those of you who respond to my requests for R. S. V. P.’s.  The percentage of respondents is high, but not 100%.  A situation developed with our Kansas City meeting about which I think every member should be aware.  We ask for R. S. V. P.’s, not only to insure the room will be large enough for our expected attendees, but to insure we have enough food for those attending.  When members make reservations, and then do not attend, the Chapter has to pay for meals that are never served and, thus, go uneaten.  I realize that occasionally circumstances change from the time the R. S. V. P. is made until the day of the meeting.  These changes could be health related, weather related, family needs, etc.  However, if a R. S. V. P. needs to be amended, or cancelled, please let me know.  We may not be able to make any last minute changes, but at least we can try.

In closing, as my term as President comes to an end, it is hard for me to believe that nearly two (2) years have passed since Russ Emory, Bill Thompson and I first got together.  Since then our membership, General, Associate, and Honorary members now exceed eighty (80) in number.  I am grateful for your support and encouragement, excited by your enthusiasm as our Chapter continues to grow and looks to the future, and I am extremely and forever blessed by your friendship.  May God Bless You All.

 

See you in Columbia,

 

John Sorensen, President

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• The meeting will be held at The Keeter Center at the College of the Ozarks, One (1) Opportunity Avenue, Point Lookout Missouri 65726.  This very impressive facility and setting is two (2) miles south of Branson, conveniently located just off U.S. 65.  The Keeter Center currently has a very nice display area, honoring those who served in World War II, and this display will still be in place during our meeting.  A DVD will be playing, showing some of the students as they traveled to Normandy, accompanying some of the veterans who fought there.  The College of the Ozarks also offers other museums, on campus, which offer either free or discounted admissions to veterans.

• The meeting will begin at 12:00, noon.  After a very brief business meeting, lunch will be served.  Lunch will be braised beef roast slow cooked, with rich brown sauce, roasted root vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes, gravy, fresh house made bakery rolls and butter, iced tea, coffee, and water.  Dessert will follow the meal.

• The cost per attendee will be $20.00.  This will cover the cost of the room, the meal, all taxes and gratuities.  When all is said and done, and everything taken into consideration, this is a real bargain.