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

 It’s more than sad to write that we lost another of our VVA 310 Vietnam Veteran brothers, Phil Hecker. Phil loved his wife,  Gena, his sons and daughter and grandchildren.  Phil, Member ID 005517 and a Past President, was Treasurer of Vietnam Veterans of America, Charles S. Kettles 310 from 2013 to 2015, and I believe one of our Charter Members.  

Phil grew up in Cleveland OH, home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  He loved watching great movies on his big screen television at his home.  He was an avid bowler with many 300 games and worked at the
Maplewood Lanes Bowling Alley in Saline, MI.  He even had his own custom bowling ball drill machine in his garage.  

Also, you could find a fishing boat on a trailer all equipped and ready to go.  Some years there was a second fishing boat even larger next to the garage also on a trailer ready to go fishing.

 He was an avid gun enthusiast and a terrific marksman with a pistol, shotguns, and rifles.  Phil was a great advocate for all gun safety and training.  He always kept his firearms in wonderful shape, all with trigger locks and proper safety safes.  He taught many friends the proper gun safety and led them to the gun range.

Phil had been ‘In-Country”, where he was a mechanic.  He served his time and was blessed to come home.  Phil and Gena had many trucks, all equipped with trailer hitches, and pulled their boats as well as VVA 310’s flags in the parades in Clinton, Milan, Saline, and Ypsilanti.  As you can see by now, Phil was a kind and thoughtful Veteran.  He loved his country, family, and friends, especially his brother and sister VVA 310 members.  

Phil was the Commander of the Washtenaw County Council of Veterans and the William B. Lutz American Legion Post 322 in Saline.  He was a lifetime member of the DAV.  He always welcomed new members and was always at the ready to serve in any way he could, especially at the monthly Pancake Breakfasts, where he made delicious omelets.

 He also loved to carve the “Piggy” at our Annual Pig Roast.  Gena and Phil served their community side by side with all of us at the unit’s packing parties for our troops serving in harm’s way all over the world.  Phil brought a smile to my veteran heart. His family values were a site to behold and emulate.

God bless you, brother Phil Hecker, your wife Gena, and all your family. They were the true love of your life.

Tim and Kathleen Driscoll.

 
Tim Driscoll
President, VVA Charles S. Kettles Chapter 310