Do you believe it? It’s already the middle of the first decade of the new millennium! (Sorry, I just couldn’t resist the urge to remind everyone how time flies!) I hope everyone had a safe holiday season and got a chance to spend it with family and friends. The weather didn’t cooperate but we came close to a White Christmas!
At the December Awards Banquet, we were disappointed that NCOA President Gene Overstreet was not able to make it to our meeting. It’s become a tradition that the President was our guest speaker. Due to prior commitments, though, he sent his regrets that he would not be able to visit the “Best Chapter in the NCOA” but asked us to continue our great work in promoting the Association and helping in our community. Congratulations to those individuals who received a Super Saxon Award!
At the January meeting, we presented 3 more World War II Service Medallions to veterans who answered their country’s call. Also that evening, member Bob Williams was presented with a Certificate of Achievement for his hard work on developing our website. Look for the website address later in the newsletter.
Our Bingo days have changed again at Ambler Bingo. Make sure you read on to find out the exact times and days of the week where you can try your luck.
We also have 3 new Certified Merchants since the last newsletter. They are: Rustic Horse at 5202 US Hwy 277 South (10% off all regularly priced merchandise); Mike Tschaar Heating & Air Conditioning at 25 Windmill Circle (10% off – they also have fireplace inserts!); and Texas Steak Express at 5217 US Hwy 277 South (25% off). Thanks go out to Pat Gursky and Bob Wessels for their hard work recruiting these businesses!
TET REUNION
The 18th Annual TET Reunion will be held at the Abilene Fair Grounds in the Exhibition Hall on Saturday, February 5th from noon to ???. It is open to all veterans and their families, not just Vietnam veterans. There will be fun, music, raffles, vendors, and lots of local veterans organizations represented. The Abilene version of a USO show is truly an experience and we encourage everyone to attend. There is no entry fee but a donation is requested to cover the cost of the meal.
THE FREE REMEMBER!
A business owner in Bronte has a nephew serving on active duty and he was recently sent to Iraq. She wanted to show her support of military and developed a wrist band similar to the yellow or pink ones showing support of cancer research. These bands are red and are to worn on the right wrist (so when you place your hand over your heart during the National Anthem or shake hands with someone, it’s visible). They are priced at $3.25 including tax and are available by calling Main Street Market in Bronte (not long distance from Abilene) at (325) 473-6246. There was a story in the Abilene Reporter News during Christmas about them. All proceeds go to benefit the Stars for Stripes program which provides big name entertainers to the military personnel overseas. This program was recommended by the USO. She will also have a booth set up at the TET Reunion on February 5th.
SIGN UP A NEW MEMBER!
We are always harping on it but now is a great time to sign up a new member. Explain all the benefits they receive (including someone on Capital Hill fighting for ALL veterans’ issues) but let them know there is also the Scholarship Fund available to all members’ families. There is the Medical Trust Fund to help out with expenses not covered by insurance (travel, lodging and meals for families). There is also the Disaster Relief Fund which has helped so many people since its inception. A member can receive some much needed help in the case of fire, tornado, or (as some of our members know) flooding. During 2003 and 2004, it has helped numerous families travel to the funeral of a loved one who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the war on terrorism and it has helped families who needed assistance traveling to a military hospital where there loved one was being treated. Tell these potential members that there is NO administrative costs for these Funds. For every dollar donated, one dollar goes to help. (Try asking a caller who is trying to get you to donate to their worthy cause what their percentage of donation is. Make sure you’re sitting down because you’ll be shocked to find out that it is many times only 20%!!!!!) Let’s all make that extra effort to sign up a few new members this year!
NEW EXCALIBUR CHAPTER WEBSITE!!!
Yes, we’re moved into the electronic age! We now have our own website. Make sure you check it out. The site address is Excalibur Chapter NCOA. It looks great so far with more to come. Keep involved in our chapter events and maybe your picture will be on the internet!
SAVE THOSE CANS!!!
Remember to save your aluminum cans. Proceeds from their sale will be donated to the NCOA Disaster Relief Fund at the next convention. Just bring them to a meeting in a plastic bag (already crushed please) and someone will take it from there. The Disaster Fund is used to help members in need due to a natural disaster (like our recent flooding). Keep in mind that at this past convention, $1000 was donated to the fund from can recycling, our 50/50 drawings, and raffles.
BINGO ANYONE?
For those of you who like to play bingo, remember to play so that it benefits our Chapter. This is the Chapter’s main source of funds and the economy has hurt even the bingo halls. Please note new times! We sponsor bingo games at the Ambler Bingo on Monday evening at 7:00 P.M. (1st session), Wednesday evening at 7:00 P.M. (1st session), and Friday evening at 7:00 P.M. (1st session). This is the primary source of funds for our chapter and attendance is way down. As long as you’re going to play, why not help the NCOA? If you haven’t come out yet but would like to try your luck, there’s always experienced players who are willing to guide you. And you never know, it may be your lucky evening!!!
CONTACT US!
We are making every effort to include all the news about the Excalibur Chapter and about our activities in Abilene. To help you keep me informed of any special event or news, please contact me at TroyandVicky@aol.com (make sure you put NCOA or Excalibur Chapter in the subject line) or call me at (325) 743-2195 (not long distance from Abilene).
CERTIFIED MERCHANTS
Most of you are aware of the National Certified Merchants Program sponsored by the NCOA. Some of these merchants include Lens Crafters, FedEx and Remax. We also have some local merchants willing to give all NCOA members a discount for their services. They are listed in each newsletter along with the discount you will receive. We encourage all members to take advantage of this program. You must show your NCOA membership card to receive your discount. The Certified Merchant Coordinator is Pat Gursky and she is assisted by Bob Wessels. If you know of any business that would like to be included, please call her at 692-7223. And make sure you express your thanks to any certified merchants you utilize! Let them know we appreciate their support. We were recently informed by NCOA Headquarters Staff that we have the best local Certified Merchant Program within all of NCOA! Congratulations Pat & Bob for your hard work!
VOLUNTEER HOURS
Don’t forget to keep track of your volunteer hours. They don’t have to be at an NCOA sponsored event. Such things as delivering Meals on Wheels, helping at a nursing home or anything you do that helps others can count. We record these hours and submit them to headquarters on a regular basis. Because of our Federal Charter, they are also recorded in the Congressional Record. This is one case where we need everyone to blow his or her own horn. A sign up sheet is available at all general membership meetings. If you are unable to attend any meeting, use the form below and send it to the address on the newsletter envelope.