• Chuck and his wife Ann

  • President and Charlie heading to the East Room

  • Chuck and his son Mike

  • Chuck and his daughter Jeanna

  • Medal of Honor

  • East Room For The Medal of Honor Ceromony

President's Message

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Vietnam Veterans of America,
Charles S. Kettles Chapter 310
National Chapter of the Year - 1999 & 2007
Newsletter of the Year 2007, 09, 11, & 15
E-Newsletter of the Year 2017
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 kettles
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.......
President’s Message2020

Tim Driscoll

driscoll

This is the time of the year when we go out into the holiday crowds to go shopping, wearing our veteran hats and jackets. Everywhere we go, people want to know who we are. So, we tell them: “We are the mighty Charles S. Kettles Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 310.”

Well, maybe not all that, but I’m sure it’s an enthusiastic conversation. Very often they start telling us about themselves or their loved ones, who are standing with them chatting up a storm, and the great conversation begins.

If it is another vet, the conversation has each other’s name, rank, and MOS. They may list the occupations they did in the service. This conversation can go on for quite a few minutes, but almost never about horror stories of loss of life or limb.

Usually there is a pause in the conversation, where we step up to the great part, where we ask, “Would like to come to our next meeting?” “Yes, you can bring your wife, and there is no swearing, drinking, smoking, or any rudeness at all at our VVA 310 meetings. We meet at the VFW Post 423 on Wagner Rd, across from the junk yard, at 7 pm on the second Thursday of each month. We have potluck, and our Associates meet at 6 pm.”

“We salute our flag, say our prayers for our servicemen and women in harm’s way around the world.  We pray for those who have come to harm because of war wounds or had gone to meet their Maker in heaven, who will be in our veteran hearts forever.”

I always tell them that, if they cannot make a meeting, some members meet for coffee and such on Wednesday mornings at Brewed Awakenings in Saline.  There they can meet us and join the fun of the Liars’ Club members, sharing some fun stories and always good cheer.

If they give me another minute or two, I tell them about our “Support the Troops” packages, our Washtenaw County Vietnam Memorial, and our merchandise kiosk at the Ann Arbor VA on the second Tuesday of each month 8 am to 2 pm.  I also mention that there will be the first Fisher House in Michigan at the Ann Arbor VA opening in June 2020.

I also ask if they are registered at the VA Hospital, and I remind them that our VA hospital works side by side with the U of M Hospital. Our VA has the brightest and youngest doctors and nurses with the latest medical equipment in our State.

So, who are we? We are each other, sharing a brotherhood and sisterhood. We have never turned our backs on our country’s people and have always given whatever is needed to keep our country and the wonderful caring people of this world, who only want peace on earth and good will to men.

Bless us all and to all a blessed night.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

Tim and Kathy Driscoll

 
Tim Driscoll
President, VVA Charles S. Kettles Chapter 310