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Companions, December and the year 2011 have been busy times for the General Hoyt S. Vandenberg Chapter and the year 2012 will be some of the same. One of the milestones for the first half of the year, was the dedication ceremony of General Hoyt S. Vandenberg's memorabilia, displayed in the Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum. The Vandenberg Chapter is the custodian and owner of the memorabilia and we are proud to display the exhibit in the Museum. We have many programs to accomplish in 2012, including Memorial Day activities, Youth Leadership participation for San Luis Obispo High School and the Grizzly Academy, Law and Order awards, Girl and Boy Scout support. We are also a member of VOAD ( Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster ) for San Luis Obispo County. Our support and participation in the Cal Poly R.O.T.C. program is a major focus, pointing to the graduation ceremony in June 2012. This December, the Chapter participated in the R.O.T.C. graduation at Cal Poly and we have four newly commissioned U. S. Army 2LT's. The R.O.T.C. Committee, led by 1LT Dennis Odekirk and COL Jack Jones is to be commended for excellent organization ability and they are responsible for the success of the program. Our main focus will be acquiring new members and calling for all companions to please bring a potential guest to the monthly meetings. In January we will induct five new members in to the Chapter, four of those members are newly commissioned Officers We must bid farewell to one of companions and a member of the Greatest Generation, 2LT Kenneth Crater, a WWII transport pilot , Army Air Corp, passed away December 1, 2010. A great patriot and very active in Veterans affairs. His wife also passed away on 19 December after a lengthy illness. I wish that you have had an energetic Holiday Season and that all of you will carry this new found energy into the mission of the GEN Hoyt S. Vandenberg Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars. Please stay healthy and be ready for the challenges of the year 2012. Happy New Year
Chapter Commander
NEWSLETTERS: In PDF Format (click the back button to return to this page)
JACK'S CORNER This December has been busy for all of us and in addition to the normal chaos of shopping and parties we had two events of note which reflected well on the Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg Chapter. First, Commander Hathcock demonstrated his stellar leadership abilities by holding a staff meeting early in the month to make a decision on the Christmas Party. The sum and substance of the discussion focused primarily on the number of members who were on the "sick list" who usually attended and those who no longer could drive and eschew driving after dark. The consensus of opinion opted for a normal Wednesday noon luncheon with a Christmas flavor. We decided on turkey and dressings etc. Commander Hathcock provided stuffed teddy bears as a favor for all attendees and there was also a See's Candy bar and "wee tot of spirits" given each attendee. We had twenty in attendance including LT Hal Gascoigne as a potential member. MAJ Jim Murphy was the song leader for a myriad of Christmas songs and Mrs.Alice Loh tickled the ivories to make us sound good. It was a wonderfully successful event. Also in December, yours truly attended the Grizzly Academy graduation at Cal Poly Performing Arts Center. As you know, we have been holding a one day YLC (Youth Leadership Conference) yearly since 2002. Unbeknownst to me, the California National Guard recognized the Chapter support to the Grizzly academy by presenting the California Commendation Medal on stage at the Center to me by BG James Gabrielli, California Military Dept. Youth and Community Programs Director, and M G David Baldwin, Adjutant General of the California National Guard. A picture was taken at the Vandenberg Chapter meeting with MAJ John Oberg, Director of the Camp San Luis Obispo Grizzly Academy presenting the citation and medal again before the Chapter members. Even though this award was presented to an individual, it was earned by the 110 members of the Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg Chapter of the MOWW. Through their efforts and support, our Youth Leadership Conferences have earned recognition for our chapter and our members. Bravo Zulu! It Is Nobler To Serve Than To Be Served!
Jack Jones,
VETERANS RECOGNITION LUNCHEON, May 28, 2010 Mitchell
Park in San Luis Obispo
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