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| Chapter member LTC. (Retired) Chuck Kettles receved the Medal of Honor - July 2016 |
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LTC Charles S. Kettles (ret) Passed Away On January 21, 2019. Rest In Peace My Friend, Rest In Peace.......
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Press Release: Dingell, Peters, Stabenow Announce Enactment of Bill to Rename Ann Arbor VA Facility After Lt. Colonel Charles S. Kettles
Lt. Colonel Kettles Received Medal of Honor in 2016 for Heroic Service During Vietnam War
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced that President Donald Trump signed their legislation to rename the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Ann Arbor after Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Kettles. Lieutenant Colonel Kettles, a lifelong resident of Ypsilanti who passed away in January of 2019, served in the Vietnam War as an Army helicopter commander and was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2016 for leading a rescue operation that saved 44 soldiers. The lawmakers’ legislation passed the House of Representatives in October and the United States Senate earlier this month. “LTC Charles Kettles never asked for recognition or sought the spotlight for his selfless service and courage. But by engraving his name above the Ann Arbor VAMC, we will ensure his story is told for generations and his legacy cherished by all who seek care within those walls,” said Congresswoman Dingell. "He was a hero, a mentor, and a friend, and I will forever be grateful for the time I was able to share with him" In May of 1967, Lieutenant Colonel Kettles led three rescue flights into enemy territory to deliver supplies, reinforcements and to evacuate wounded airborne soldiers who had been ambushed by Northern Vietnamese forces. After Kettles was informed during the middle of his final flight that eight soldiers remained on the ground, he immediately returned without any support to rescue the remaining men. All told, his actions saved the lives of 40 soldiers and 4 crewmembers from the 176th Aviation Company. In 2015, Dingell led legislation to waive time limitations that deemed Lieutenant Colonel Kettles ineligible for consideration of the Medal of Honor. Finally, after the bill was enacted, President Obama awarded Kettles the Medal of Honor on July 18, 2016, nearly 50 years after his heroic actions.
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On April 18th, staff members at the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center held their annual Volunteer Recognition. This year it was done by drive-through awarding. The volunteer would drive up to the front of the hospital, and a staff of the Volunteer Services would greet that volunteer. The team would present the volunteer with pins or certificates and a couple of goodie bags. There were several VVA 310 and AVVA 310 members listed, on looking through their booklet of award winners. Here is how we stacked up:
Outstanding Volunteer of the Year: Don Miller with 7500 hours
Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award: AVVA Carol Talbot with 3750 hours
1500 Hour Award: Al Dyer
300-Hour Award: Tim Clarke
100-Hour Award: Tim Driscoll and Dave Draper
Congratulations to our hard-working VVA 310 members who help keep the VA and the Fisher House operating smoothly with their selfless dedication to our veterans and their families.
The month of May will lead us into Memorial Day. We hope and plan to resume our tradition of gathering at our Vietnam Veterans Memorial at one o’clock (1300 hrs) on Monday, May 31st. We will honor those veterans who lost their lives in America’s wars, but more especially those Washtenaw County Vietnam War veterans listed on our wall. We will remember those VVA 310 members who passed in the last year by unveiling their memorial bricks. We invite all to join us on this day of remembrance and reverence. In the meantime, stay safe, and stay proud. I’ll see you on Memorial Day.
Stay safe, Be proud,
Stan Harrison, President