QUAD CITIES CHAPTER 299 WWW.QCVVA299.ORG

CHAPTER 299

JANUARY 2017

VETS IN CRISIS HOTLINE

1.800.273.8255President - LARRY TSCHAPPAT

309 - 788-2729 LET289@HOTMAIL.COM

Vice President-RAY HAMILTON 1-563-650-7486

R.HAMILTON@MCHSI.COMSecretary-TOM HICKSON

1-309-558-7102 Treasurer-Mike Haney

309-755-7935 – MHANEY32@YAHOO.COM

Membership - STEVE BRENNER563-355-6499

BNUC7@aol.comVeteran Service Officers (VSO)

Al “Butch” Huber-VSO309.721.1453

VVA National Offices800.882.1316

VA Outpatient Clinic Bettendorf563.332.8528

VA Med Cent IA City319.338.0581 & 800.346.1843

IL Dept of Veterans AffairsVSO Carla Waibel

309.793.1460RI Cty Vet Ast & VSO

Todd Harlow309.558.3546

VET CENTER (Counseling) 309-762-6955

IA Vet Affairs & VSO David Woods563.326.8723

Honor Guard Co-CaptainsDennis Laird - Funerals

309.721.7468Andy Andersen - Parades

“We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would harm us.”George Orwell

Veteran Suicide Eclipsing Vietnam Losses – By Sarah Westfall

Veteran suicide is a national catastrophe unfolding in front of us and few are noticing or taking it seriously. Yes, Facebook campaigns and nonprofit groups are sounding the alarm, but it hasn’t translated into meaningful legislation or major social movements. Currently, according to the Department of Veteran Affairs, the daily suicide rate amongst Veterans has risen to 22 per day. Many believe this is under reported) and that the actual suicide rate is closer to 33 per day.Suicide rates also increase over time as soldiers age; 69% of soldiers are 50 years or older when they decide to take their lives. With this in mind, most experts agree that the suicide rate will climb significantly higher over the next few decades due to a number of factors: 1. War has been constant since 2001, an

unprecedented length of time 2. Soldiers are sent on too many Missions;

significantly more than doctors have determined to be safe for mental health.

3. Soldiers are not being reintroduced into society in a healthy and productive manner; feeling isolated and lacking opportunities that meet their psychological needs.

4. Mental Health is NOT viewed as a Combat Injury that needs to be carefully tended to overtime nor is suicide properly tracked as combat losses.

Assuming that the number of suicides will likely increase dramatically over the next few decades if war does not end, combat losses due to suicide will not only eclipse losses during the Vietnam War but also World War I. Over time, it could even potentially reach U.S. World War II losses (which truly would be a catastrophe. WHAT IS DIFFERENT TODAY THAT HAS SET THE STAGE FOR A MASSIVE HUMAN CATASTROPHE ? War has been raging since 2001, making it the longest wartime period in U.S. history. The Vietnam war, by the most

widely accepted metric, lasted 10 years; A long time, but not nearly as long as today. Besides the length of time we have spent at war, the other significant change is the 100% volunteer military made up of less than ½ of 1% of the U.S. population. In all previous wars, the U.S. implemented the draft, which created an entirely different paradigm among the U.S. citizenry. A draft forces the entire country to accept, or at minimum, deal with the commitment of war. Now we have very small subset of the population exposed to the realities of war. Without a national consciousness, our leaders do not receive meaningful opposition from the public; clearing the way for more war and misery suffered by our soldiers. *From an interview with Chapter 299 Member, Major Lynn Lowder, USMC, Force Recon [retired]

VOLUME 31 ISSUE 1 SHOULDER TO SHOULDER2ANOTHER SOUL

Rotor wash caresses and dances with elephant grass.Through it moves yet another Soul, held in the arms of his

Brothers.Anger. Tears.

Lift-Off.

Home.

Greg wrote this verse to describe the photo and brief story about his friend, Kent Frazelle, pictured in the attached October 1966 Life Magazine photo. Marine Kent Frazelle (Moline High School Class of 1965) had just boarded the chopper to receive the body of his KIA Friend. He had to remove the female photographer who had inserted herself between Kent and his Marine Friend’s body. “When I came home in 1969, Kent and I sat in his Mother’s living room. He told me the story, showed me pictures of his Pals--to include the Young Marine who was killed shortly after the photos were taken. Kent also had a copy of the magazine. Kent was a great guy. Good Family Man. He passed away a [sic] few months back.” [ Kent died in the autumn of 2014 ] This poem, dialogue and Life Magazine photo submitted by Greg McCluskey

Poetry by Greg McCluskey – Life Member – Quad Cities VVA Chapter 299 –

THE ONLY FLAG THAT DOES NOT FLYBetween the fields where The Flag is planted, there are 9+ miles of flower fields that go all the way to the ocean. Seed companies grow the flowers. It’s a beautiful place, close to Vandenberg AFB. Check out the dimensions of The Flag. The Floral Flag is 740 feet long and 390 feet wide and maintains the proper Flag dimensions, as described in Executive Order #10834. This Flag is 6.65 acres and is the first Flora Flag to be planted with 5 pointed Stars, comprised of White Larkspur. Each Star is 24 feet in diameter; each Stripe is 30 feet wide. This Flag is estimated to contain more than 400,000 Larkspur plants with 4-5 flower stems each, for a total of more than 2 million flowers. **Submitted by CPT. Ray Hamilton, USMC, retired

LIFE MEMBER RECEIVES JOHN F. BAKER CERTIFICATE AND PRINT

Bob Jackson presented Tom Skorepa a Certificate and John F. Baker, Medal of Honor portrait on November 15, 2016 for his continued good works and Volunteerism for many of he Chapter 299’s activities and events and as a long time valued Sponsor of our monthly, Shoulder To Shoulder. * Submitted by Past President Terry Lynch

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TAPSFollowing is a list of funerals at which military honors were performed by the combined efforts of the VVA Chapter 299, VVA Chapter 776, and the MAVA (Mexican American Veterans Association) Honor Guards. Included in the list are the dates of the funerals, names, ages, and branches of service in which these veterans served. Any Chapter 299 Members are designated by bold letters and underlined.

Date of funeral Name of veteran Age Branch of service

OCT. 31, 2016 MARTHA L. DAILY 96 U. S. NAVY (WORLD WAR II VETERAN)NOV. 07, 2016 LOUIS HARRIS 72 U. S. ARMY (VIETNAM WAR VETERAN)NOV. 08, 2016 DONALD G. WOLBERS 87 U. S. ARMY (KOREAN WAR ERA VETERAN)NOV. 11, 2016 CRAIG L. NORRIS 62 U. S. NAVY (VIETNAM WAR ERA VETERAN, LIFETIME MEMBER OF CHAPTER 776, ONE OF FOUNDERS OF SHOES FOR VETS) NOV. 14, 2016 LARRY W. EMMER 64 U. S. ARMY (VIETNAM WAR ERA VETERAN) NOV. 17, 2016 RAY “PAPERMAN” RODGERS 64 U. S. ARMY (VIETNAM WAR ERA VETERAN)NOV. 21, 2016 JACK COOK 70 U. S. ARMY (VIETNAM WAR ERA VETERAN)NOV. 30, 2016 RICHARD E. ROBERSON SR. 76 U. S. MARINE CORPS (VIETNAM WAR ERA VETERAN) NOV. 30, 2016 LAWRENCE R. LACAILLE 73 U. S. AIR FORCE (VIETNAM WAR ERA VETERAN)DEC. 05, 2016 RAY C. GREENLEE JR. 86 U. S. ARMY ( KOREAN WAR VETERAN)DEC. 09, 2016 ARNOLD DELGADO 68 U. S. ARMY (VIETNAM WAR ERA VETERAN)DEC. 11, 2016 NORMAN E. SLEAD 68 U. S. ARMY (VIETNAM WAR VETERAN, USED TO BE A MEMBER OF CHAPTER 299) DEC. 13, 2016 REV. DR. DAVID H. PALM 67 U. S. AIR FORCE (VIETNAM WAR ERA VETERAN)DEC. 15, 2016 JAMES W. RODGERS 73 U. S. ARMY (VIETNAM WAR VETERAN)DEC. 15, 2016 ROY RIECKE U. S. NAYV (VIETNAM WAR VETERAN)DEC. 19, 2016 MICHAEL L. HUMPHRIES 73 U. S. ARMY & NAVY (VIETNAM WAR VETERAN)DEC. 20, 2016 WILLIAM J. KIRKPATRICK 77 U. S. AIR FORCE (COLD WAR VETERAN)DEC. 23, 2016 DALE L. HOFER 70 U. S. ARMY (VIETNAM WAR VETERAN)DEC. 23, 2016 GARY L. DECRAENE 78 U. S. NAVY (COLD WAR VETERAN)

VIETNAM VETERANS DAY – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2017 Each year since Vietnam Veterans Day became law, VVA Chapter 299 reads the nearly 200 names of local men who died in the Vietnam War and each year one man’s Family is recognized. We are seeking someone to supply the name and provide the contact info for one Gold Star Family. PLAN AHEAD AND DON’T BE SHY – GET INVOLVED Last year a sister and Mother of a Veteran Killed In Action were recognized by Lt. General McConnell to say a few brief words but the name

of the sister and Mother were lost to the editors. Jim Loveless was busy with Honor Guard duties, Bill Albracht was the event emcee and I was eulogizing last year’s Family = Gale K. Vogler. Members or Friends of VVA – Chapter 299 – Please submit the name of a Local Gold Star Family. Since no other Members “stepped up” choice of the individual has fallen to me two years in a row. To Honor One Fallen now belongs to someone other than me. - JH

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To all my Veteran Brothers and the Citizens of the Quad Cities;

Here on the banks of the majestic Mississippi we have a relatively new jewel in the crown we all call home. It is Veterans Memorial Park located where Marquette Street meets the Mississippi River. The location is ideal and pristine. Situated just west of the Centennial Bridge and like the bridge, it allows for the blending of Illinois and Iowa’s past, present and our collective futures. Veterans Memorial Park is a living symbol to all those that have served. From the plowboys, bankers, shopkeepers and others that left to preserve the Union during the Civil War to our newest Veterans in the War on Terror, we say Welcome Home and Thank You for serving this Great Nation at an immeasurable human cost. A Gold Star in an American Veteran’s Family window represents a life lost to war in America. It is the universal symbol signifying someone has given up all of his or her tomorrows for your today. We have ambitious plans for Veterans Memorial Park. We want it to educate, honor Veterans and be a place of community gathering. It is meant to host a family picnic as well as be a public meeting place to pay tribute to our fallen heroes. It is designed to be a living testament to all who have served and those

that are currently serving. It is intended to inspire and send a message to our young men and women; each one of you can make a difference in the preservation of freedom. The Memorial will long remain a tangible reminder that Veterans’ sacrifices will be remembered; their deeds honored by a grateful community. Quad Cities, USA, comprises a citizenry that is joined by the Mighty Mississippi River. Please take a moment and visit our park’s web site – www.FOVMP.ORG - [Friends of Veterans Memorial Park] and see the virtual planning that details our strategies and goals. We hope that you will be as motivated as we are and will consider making a donation, no amount too small. It is our intention to make this the premiere Veteran Memorial in the Mid West region. As Veterans, when we served our country, we did so with Honor. Today, we ask that this Honor be preserved for our children and for generations of residents of the Quad Cities in the future. To forget our Veterans, is to lose our history. To honor our Veterans is to preserve our history. Bill Albracht – Quad Cities Vietnam Veteran and Friend of the Veterans Memorial Park

A Macedonian Requiem – By Member Captain Tom

Smith, USMC [ retired ]In the company of warriors, I have no need to explain myself.

In the company of warriors, everybody understands.

In the company of warriors, I don’t have to pretend to be someone I’m not.

Or strike that pose, however well-intentioned, that is expected by those who have not known me under arms.

In the company of warriors all my crimes are forgiven.

I am safe.

I am known.

I am home.

In the company of warriors.

GOOD MORNING VIETNAM – ACTUAL RADIO BROADCAST

Have your wives or kids ever asked you what listening to the radio in Vietnam was like? I don’t mean the PRC 25 or other military radio frequencies. I mean the radio station depicted in the film Good Morning Vietnam. It’s like hearing the movie without the antics.

I forgot that I had a copy of some of the actual radio broadcasts from AFVN Saigon, from 1969. Complete with music, news of the war and around the world, and some of the wonderful PSAs we all enjoyed so much.

If interested send $3.00 to Ken Moffett at 1925 – 23 Street – A, Moline, Illinois 61265 – This promotion will end January 31st and you should have your Dean Fait professionally designed copy by @ Valentine’s Day – Life Member, Ken Moffett

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Ken Stotmeister CLU LUTCF 563-349-9160 Producer/Broker KENSTOT@GMAIL.COM Personal & Business Insurance Solutions

17620 HUBBARD ROAD EAST MOLINE, IL 61244

FAX: 309-496-1831

Providing advice on Medicare Supplement Plans, Prescription Drug Plans & Medicare Health Plans since 1983

Helping you protect and maintain your quality of life

Thomas SkorepaATTORNEY AT LAW

3725 Black Hawk Road Suite 200Rock Island, IL 61201 309.788.7481

Continuing the tradition of service to those in need.

The 114th Congress has recessed for the year.

On behalf of John Rowan, VVA National President and the Board of Directors we would like to thank you for all of your grassroots advocacy support over the past year.

With that said, on December 16, 2016, the President of the United States provides VVA with a tremendous victory when he signed into law H.R. 6416, the Jeff Miller and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2016.

The new law in Subtitle C-Toxic Exposure, includes S.901 the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015 an

issue that VVA has been working on for the past eight years. Go to Congress.gov and type in H.R. 6416 to view the new law.

The bill would not have passed into law without your grassroots support and VVA shares this victory with you.

Have a safe and wonderful holiday and VVA look forward to working with you in the upcoming 115th Congress on legislative issues that will enhance the lives of veterans and their families.

The Government Affairs Team - Rick, Bernie, Sharon, Kris, Tom, Carl, Jim, and Joe – Submitted by Larry Tschappat

THE TOXIC EXPOSURE ACT OF 2015 BECOMES LAW Vietnam Veterans of America - Legislative Update - December 23, 2016

VET 2 VET REPORT –

JANUARY 2017 Our Vet 2 Vet Volunteers visited St. Anthony’s Continuing Care in Rock Island last month to spread some Christmas Cheer by passing out Patriotic Hats and Lapel Pins, Flags, Eye Glasses Cleaning Cloths, Water Bottles, Cross Word Puzzles, Fresh Fruit and Christmas Music. Providing these gifts were “Santa” Frenchy Eaves, “Blitzen” Fred ‘Hammer’ Swim, “Cupid” Alan Larsen, “Comet” Larry Tschappat and Rudy “Rudolph” Hernandez. Since so many sick and hospitalized patients receive so few visits at any time of the year this was special for both the Givers and the Recipients of our Vet 2 Vet Visit. Upcoming Vet 2 Vet trip will be held Wednesday February 15th, 2017 at Good Samaritan Home – 700 Waverly Road, Davenport, Iowa. Vet 2 Vet “Valentine Volunteers” set up this event at 10 AM for the 10:15 AM Event. You may contact me at 563-386-1696 – Happy New Year, 2017 – Vet 2 Vet Chairman = Paul “Frenchy” Eaves

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THE QUIET MAN – NORM SLEAD When a man tells me something I give him the benefit of the doubt. When the US Army tells me something about the draftee enlisted man I knew before “The Army”, there is no doubt. The Army didn’t “say” it one time but 5 times and proclaimed the point with “V’ For Valor 5 times. Norman was steady and even-tempered. He was blessed with a body builder physique and hands with a vise-like grip. Fifty years later, emaciated and dying he held me tightly with those hands as we cried together. I said Toksha-ake = Have a Good Journey. Norman’s 8 year old Granddaughter, Rachel, climbed into his deathbed showing no fear and a great deal of pure love; the eyes of a child with the heart of a Lion.Without fanfare Norman entered the Army and went to Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry Division in 1969-70 as an Infantryman, but “I was basically a Ranger”. It took very little time for PFC Slead to distinguish himself to his superiors. A helicopter was downed in enemy territory Nov. 1969. Norman Volunteered to gather up a “team” and lead them to provide cover and suppressing fire and retrieve the downed chopper crew and received his first of 3 Bronze Star Medals with the “V” for Valor device. Norm also was the recipient of 2 Army Commendation Medals with the “V” device, was wounded twice, awarded the coveted C.I.B. and also awarded the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters. I don’t know of another “Grunt” who received the Air Medal. According to Norman he participated in “around 200 missions” in 19 months. In military terms Norm had a resumé that a 20-year career soldier could be proud of. Norman married, had children and Grandchildren and remained very attentive and active in their lives even as ancient wounds and illnesses began

to ravish him. For years Norman was recovering from a surgery, an illness, another treatment. Last year about this time he had brain surgery, which impaired his speech and thought patterns. Through this his wife Cheryl they would double-team a thought, or expression. Early in December Norman took a tumble and Cheryl told me he would die within days. Days before the accident he spoke with Alleman

classmate Steve Bruyntjens about coming to Daytona Beach to visit him and his wife Joan. I called another Alleman classmate advising him that Norman had but days to live. Bill Albracht “got there” to the home and said it best – “Warrior To Warrior – We will be in Heaven together and form a Battalion - - only if I can Lead it !” Perfect. Rest In Peace Norman. – JH – January 8, 2017

THE DAMAGEDear Lord, Lest I continue My complacent way, Help me to remember that somewhere, Somehow out there A man died for me today. As long as there be war, I must answer Am I worth dying for ?

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6 years running!

Thanks to our service men and women and our

veterans!

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Percentage of Americans who have served their Country in the Military

The day I found out I got into West Point my Mom actually showed up in the hallway of my high school and waited for me to get out of class. She was bawling her eyes out and apologizing that she had opened up my admission letter. She wasn’t crying because it had been her dream for me to go there. She was crying because she knew how hard I’d worked to get in, how much I wanted to attend, and how much I wanted to be an Infantry Officer. I was going to get that opportunity.

Yet that same day, two of my teachers took me aside and essentially told me the following: Nick, you’re a smart guy. You don’t have to join the military. You should go to college, instead.

I could easily write a tome defending West Point and the military as I did that day, explaining that USMA is an elite institution, that separate from that it is actually statistically much harder to enlist in the military than it is to get admitted to college, that serving Our Nation is a challenge that all able-bodied men should at least consider for a host of reasons, but I won’t.

What I will say is that when a 16 year-old kid is being told that attending West Point is going to be bad for his future, then there is a dangerous disconnect in America and entirely too many Americans have no idea what kind of burdens our military is bearing.

In World War II, 11.2%of the nation served in four years. In Vietnam, 4.3% served in 12 years. Since 2001 only 0.45% of our population has served in the GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM !

These are unbelievable statistics.

Over time, fewer and fewer people have shouldered more and more of the burden and it is only getting worse. Our troops were sent to war in Iraq by a Congress consisting of 10% Veterans with only one Member of Congress having a child serving in the military.

Taxes did not increase to pay for the war. War bonds were not sold. Gas was not regulated. In fact, the average citizen was asked to sacrifice NOTHING. - - and has sacrificed nothing unless

they have chosen to sacrifice SOMETHING out of the goodness of their hearts.

The only people who have sacrificed are the Veterans and their Families. The Volunteers. The people who swore an Oath to Defend this Nation. One stands there, deployment after deployment and fight on. You’ve lost relationships, spent years of your life in extreme conditions, years apart from kids you’ll never get back, and beaten your body in a way that even professional athletes don’t understand nor would tolerate.

Then you come home to a Nation that Does Not Understand. They don’t understand Suffering.They don’t understand Sacrifice. They don’t understand why We fight for them. They don’t understand that bad people exist devoted to the downfall of America. They look at you like you’re a machine - like something is wrong with you. You are the misguided one - not them.

When your enlistment ends, you might sit in a college classroom with political science teachers that discount your opinions on Iraq and Afghanistan because YOU WERE THERE and can’t understand the “macro” issues they gathered from books, because of your bias.

You watch TV shows where every Veteran has PTSD, the violent strain. Your Congress debates your benefits, your retirement, and your pay, while Congress and America ask you to do more. But the amazing thing is that you all know this. You know your Country will never pay back what you’ve given up. You know that the populace at large will never truly understand or appreciate what you have done for them.

Hell, you know that in some circles, you will be thought as less than normal for having worn the uniform. But you do it anyway. You do what the greatest men and women of this country have done since 1775 - YOU SERVED. Just that decision alone makes you part of an elite group.

“Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few.” Winston Churchill – Submitted by Major Lynn Lowder, USMC [ retired ]

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Thank you Veterans!

CHAPTER 299 HONOR GUARD UPCOMING EVENTS FOR 2017

JAN. 20-22 NEW GLARUS PARADE IN NEW GLARUS, WI.EVENTS FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR WILL COME AT A LATER DATE.

Phone: 309-277-8700

Thanking Our Veterans For Our Freedom!

James W. VictorExecutive DirectorFinancial Advisor4300 East 53rd Street, Suite 300Davenport, IA 52807563-344-4334 or 800-553-1871james.w.victor@morganstanley.com

© 2015 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.CRC897541 05/14

FROM D.A.V. / A JOINT MESSAGE December 16, 2016, H.R. 5015, the Combat-Injured Veterans Tax Fairness Act of 2016 became Public Law No: 114-292. This new law provides veterans medically separated, or retired from the military due to combat-related injuries another opportunity to recoup the taxed portion of their severance payments. The law requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to identify veterans medically separated from military service due to combat-related injuries that were issued severance payments after January 17, 1991, and withheld amounts for tax purposes. DOD will provide this group of veterans with a notice of the amount of improperly withheld severance payments, and instructions

for filing amended federal tax returns to recover the withheld amount. The period for filing this IRS claim for a credit, or refund is extended to one year after DOD provides the veteran with the information required by this Act. This law will be a significant benefit to this group of injured and ill veterans, and partially fulfills DAV Resolution 011 that calls for allowing all veterans to recover taxes withheld from their disability severance pay. Tom Simmons – Commander - Disabled American VeteransQuad Cities Chapter 2 - PO Box 2122Davenport, IA 52809-2122563- 650-2518

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WII B17 Survival Story  B-17 “All American” (414th Squadron, 97BG) Crew Pilot- Ken Bragg Jr. Copilot- G. Boyd Jr. Navigator- Harry C. Nuessle - Bombardier- Ralph Burbridge Engineer- Joe C. James Radio Operator- Paul A. Galloway Ball Turret Gunner- Elton CondaWaist Gunner- Michael Zuk Tail Gunner- Sam T. Sarpolus Ground Crew Chief- Hank Hyland B-17 in 1943 A mid-air collision on February 1, 1943, between a B-17 and a German fighter over the Tunis dock area, became the subject of one of the most famous photographs of World War II. An enemy fighter attacking a 97th Bomb Group formation went out of control, probably with a wounded pilot then continued its crashing descent into the rear of the fuselage of a Fortress named All American, piloted by Lt. Kendrick R. Bragg, of the 414th Bomb Squadron. When it struck, the fighter broke apart, but left some pieces in the B-17. The left horizontal stabilizer of the Fortress and left elevator were completely torn away. The two right engines were out and one on the left had a serious oil pump leak. The vertical fin and the rudder had been damaged, the fuselage had been cut almost completely through connected only at two small parts of the frame and the radios, electrical and oxygen systems were damaged. There was also a hole in the top that was over 16 feet long and 4 feet wide at its widest and the split in the fuselage went all the way to the top gunners turret. Although the tail actually bounced and swayed in the wind and twisted when the plane turned and all the control cables were severed, except one single elevator cable still worked, and the aircraft still flew - miraculously! The tail gunner was trapped because there was no floor connecting the tail to the rest of the plane. The waist and tail gunners used parts of the German fighter and their own parachute harnesses in an attempt to keep the tail from ripping off and the two sides of the fuselage from splitting apart. While the crew was trying to keep the bomber from coming apart, the pilot continued on his bomb run and released his bombs over the target. When the bomb bay doors were opened, the wind turbulence was so great that it blew one of the waist gunners into the broken tail section. It took

several minutes and four crewmembers to pass him ropes from parachutes and haul him back into the forward part of the plane. When they tried to do the same for the tail gunner, the tail began flapping so hard that it began to break off. The weight of the gunner was adding some stability to the tail section, so he went back to his position. The turn back toward England had to be very slow to keep the tail from twisting off. They actually covered almost 70 miles to make the turn home. The bomber was so badly damaged that it was losing altitude and speed and was soon alone in the sky. For a brief time, two more Me-109 German fighters attacked the All American. Despite the extensive damage, all of the machine gunners were able to respond to these attacks and soon drove off the fighters. The two waist gunners stood up with their heads sticking out through the hole in the top of the fuselage to aim and fire their machine guns. The tail gunner had to shoot in short bursts because the recoil was actually causing the plane to turn. Allied P-51 fighters intercepted the All American as it crossed over the Channel and took one of the pictures shown. They also radioed to the base describing that the empennage was waving like a fish tail and that the plane would not make it and to send out boats to rescue the crew when they bailed out. The fighters stayed with the Fortress taking hand signals from Lt. Bragg and relaying them to the base. Lt. Bragg signaled that 5 parachutes and the spare had been “used” so five of the crew could not bail out. He made the decision that if they could not bail out safely, then he would stay with the plane and land it. Two and a half hours after being hit, the aircraft made its final turn to line up with the runway while it was still over 40 miles away. It descended into an emergency landing and a normal rollout on its landing gear. When the ambulance pulled alongside, it was waved off because not a single member of the crew had been injured. No one could believe that the aircraft could still fly in such a condition. The Fortress sat placidly until the crew all exited through the door in the fuselage and the tail gunner had climbed down a ladder, at which time the entire rear section of the aircraft collapsed onto the ground. The rugged old bird had done its job.

61204-6076

VIETNAM VETERANS of AMERICA Chapter 299 APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

Membership open to U.S. armed forces Veterans who served on active duty (other than training purpose) in Vietnam between February 28.1961 and May 7, 1975, or any other duty location between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975.ATTENTION: All new members must submit a copy of your DD Form-214 along with this application and dues payment.

Name:_________________________________________________________________________________________Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________City: _________________________________________ State: _________________ ZIP: ___________________ Home Phone: ________________________Cell Phone________________________ Work Phone___________________e-mail: _______________________________________________________________________________Date of Birth: _____________________________ Gender: Male / FemaleOptional : SPONSOR________________________________________ VVA Membership Number___________________I am already a VVA member and would like to become a life member. My current VVA Member number is: ___________

Type of Membership: (Please circle one)

___Individual Member – 1 year: $20 (One year Membership Special $10.00)(Chapter 299 only), Individual Member – 3 years: $50, Life Member – Ages 56-60: $200, Ages 61-65: $175, Ages 66-71: $150., Ages 72+: $100, Life Member Time Payment Plan - $50 down, $25/month (until age bracket is paid in full) * (Please make checks payable to “VVA”)Associate Membership available to anyone not covered by the requirements for VVA membership. This includes family, members, friends, and Veterans not eligible for VVA Membership. (One year VVA Membership Special - $10.00 - this is only offered by Chapter 299 & must be sent to Chapter address).

If there are any questions please call (309) 788-2729 (Membership Chairman) or (309) 788-VETS (8387)(Leave message)Chapter 299 meets the third Tuesday of each month (except December) at 7:00 pm at the R. I. Arsenal Cafeteria. VISITORS WELCOME! COME CHECK US OUT BEFORE YOU JOIN! Return your completed application with payment and a copy of your DD Form-214 to:

“VVA” Chapter 299 * P O Box 6076 * Rock Island, IL. 61201-6076

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280 East 90th Street • Davenport, IA 52806Phone: (563)285-1914 • Fax: (563)285-1917

Thanking our Veterans for their service to our country!

MCAThe Eastern Iowa - Western Illinois

Mechinical Contractors Association of America

Salute America and Our Veterans!

563-345-6450CONTRACTORSASSN@yahoo.com

2508 – 25TH STREET, SUITE #3 ROCK ISLAND, IL 61201

Go to voicemail? Leave a message.

307 6th Avenue E - Andalusia, IL - Phone: (309) 798-2512

Moline Vikings Club - 1450 - 41st St. Moline

o Individual Member - 1 year $20 (One year Membership Special $10.00) (Chapter 299 only)o Individual Member - 3 years $50o Life Member $100 Life Member Time Payment Plan - $50 down, $25/month (until paid in full) * (Please make checks payable to “VVA”)

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Compliments of Bud Canfield!

Offer expires 04/30/15

VET 2 VET REPORTVET 2 VET went to Country House Residence in February to spread good cheer to the people there. Taking part in handing out Patriotic Hats, lapel pins, Flags and playing card were, Jerry Lingard, Fred “Hammer” Swim, Dale Baker, Larry Tschappat, Steve Brenner and Frenchy Eaves. A Chapter 299 Charter member is living Country House – Jeff “Doc” Lance. “Doc” was so very pleased to see us, and his Mother, Eileen resides there too. Vet 2 Vet was very well received and all had a good time. Vet 2 Vet Chairman – Paul “Frenchy” Eaves

CATERING – HOG ROASTER UPDATEAs of the November 2013 the Catering Crew for Chapter 299 wrapped up the year with 4 Events that occurred after publication. On December 11th they met at the Viking Club to internally assess the year and make rough plans for going forward into Year 2015.The Viking Club held their annual Open House Sunday December 21st and the Catering Crew provided a minimum 4 Volunteers to help with this event. The Viking Club provides a staging area for Chapter 299 to do all the prep and clean up work throughout the year.

The Roaster and its utensils were all stowed away and put “in mothballs” in December 2014. The Roaster and the Crew will take a respite from all Catering Activities until early Springtime 2015.As always, your editors request more Member Volunteers for our Chapter’s largest fund raising vehicle. Whether you can pitch in to help stage an event at the Viking Club in Moline, assist with clean up there after an event or pitch in for any amount of time at an event, The Catering Crew needs help. If you can only spare an hour or two a few times during the Roasting Season, those hours will be greatly appreciated by the hard working – core group. Please consider Volunteering this year. JL, BA, JH

SAM’S CLUB #82383845 ELMORE AVENUE

DAVENPORT, IA 563.355.3939

SAM’S CLUB #40616600-44 AVENUE

MOLINE, IL 61265309.581.7128

SERVING OUR VETERANS & OUR

COMMUNITY

With Respect and Admiration To All Who Served.

61204-6076

We proudly support Vietnam Veteran’s Chapter 299

309-756-2700

DAVENPORT NORTH HIGH SCHOOL

GIRLS BASKETBALL – VETERANS APPRECIATION NIGHT

Vietnam Veterans Chapter 299 Honor Guard presented the Colors at the Davenport North High School. Davenport North Girls Basketball was holding their Veterans Appreciation Night and made a generous contribution to the Quad Cities Honor Flight.