Chapter member LTC. (Retired) Chuck Kettles receved the Medal of Honor - July 2016

LTC Charles S. Kettles (ret) Passed Away On January 21, 2019.  Rest In Peace My Friend, Rest In Peace.......

Tim Driscoll

 The words “Thank You” to everyone who gave of themselves to reach out to our whole loving Veteran Community to make this year’s Pig Roast everything it could and should be. You really brought the magic. It was that deep-down, extra effort that kept coming and coming.

The Pig Roast was a real family affair. Those of us who reached out to all the different businesses in communities were really welcomed with open arms and support to our Chapter 310, for our veteran men and women serving around the world.

It was impressive to keep hearing, “Don’t worry, we have this” when I asked for assistance for this project. That “Can Do” attitude was evident every day. It made this Pig Roast fun, successful, and inclusive to all.
Did our members support the two pancake breakfasts at the VFW? Yes, we did!

Did we receive 900 boxes of Girl Scout cookies and share them with other VVA Chapters, so they could share them with their special programs supporting those who need extra help, with food and love from our Veteran Community? Did we also share them at the Ann Arbor VA, distributing them to all visiting patients and staff?  Yes, we did!

Do we bring our Merchandise Team to the VA Hospital to give the visiting patients and staff the opportunity to have that special hat, shirt, or pin?  Yes, we do!

Another first event—we were invited by the Ann Arbor Arms Company to put up our Merchandise Tent and help celebrate their “Re-Grand Opening.” We sold some merchandise, and we also met a lot of younger veterans who served all over the world, protecting our freedom, our way of life. We met members of local, county, and state police and fire departments and other members of the gun club. It was a great day and put smiles on all. P.S.: They also served all of us free hot dogs and ice cream. Thank you, Ann Arbor Arms!

Let us not forget Brewed Awakenings in Saline, who let us have two tables and chairs for about a dozen members on every Wednesday morning about 08:30. We wear hats with the letters T.L.C. on them. I tell everyone that T.L.C. means “The Learning Channel.” But Alice Lee says “No, it means The Liar’s Club.” Alice knows best, bless her heart.

Our own VVA 310 Huey pilot and radio personality, Dale Thornberry and Bob Gould, hosts of Veterans Radio, present Veterans Stories on AM radio Channel WAAM 1600 on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. Almost every story seems to start the same way no matter where the guy or gal served or was stationed around the world. “There I was.”

Veterans Radio has a “Open Mic” podcast hosted by Dale that gives each storyteller guidelines to follow to tell their story.

Arrive at 1730hrs to put your name on the list of speakers. Your story must be true. Be prepared.

You will have only ten minutes; so, do your best to stay on topic. This is not a stand-up routine, a lecture, a rant, or a confession.

You can join Dale at 5:30 p.m. on the last Wednesday of every month at the VFW Post 423. You can listen to the podcast at  http://veteransradio.net/

Next open mic is Wednesday, October 30th. It is so much fun and interesting to listen to and join other local vets telling their stories.

All the good that comes from our Pig Roast Project is very widespread. It covers all the communities in Washtenaw County, where most of us live.  Cities, towns, farms, and all the places that take us here and there. From the humble beginning of our chapter, we decided that we would not do this alone. We had to prove to the world we are the children of the greatest generation, who really saved the world from ruin. We were taught and learned all the lessons that meant so much to them. And to share what the good Lord had put before us every day. As a unit, we have proved to the world around us that we are great citizens of our country.

We share all that we have been given and earned when we ask for donations for a worthy veteran project. We complete it with our whole heart because it’s almost always for the least fortunate veteran and their family in both their health and circumstance.

The road we have taken in our short lives has taken us to war and to our healing strength for the world to respect and believe in us as champions for those in our Veteran Community, who are young and old trying to live another day with dignity, peace, and hope for our country’s  Veterans, most of all, those men and women in our Armed Forces everywhere.

P.S. Guess what I have: a 40&8 Honor Society Train to sell, runs darn good, only $20,000.

Tim and Kathleen Driscoll.

 
Tim Driscoll
President, VVA Charles S. Kettles Chapter 310