I have served as a Board Member, 2nd VP, 1st VP, and President encompassing 13 years of service to our Chapter.

It has taken many years of trying to do the right thing at the right time to make our chapter grow and become recognized for all of our hard work. I have had the pleasure of knowing many of our members who were there at the beginning and taking from them ideas, suggestions and their advice as best to approach problems and avenues of the least resistance. I have never ask anyone to not do something I would not due for the betterment of our chapter.

Time flies and sometimes the memory fades. I believe that Operation Catch which was ongoing for some two months was something I worked on with many other dedicated members to make it happen will always be a project which truly was one of a kind.

Working on our POW/MIA issue to raise public awareness was all time consuming and originally brought me in the chapter after I found the phone number in the phone book for chapter 82 if you can believe that. Our chapter was one of only a handful which was included in the Senate Select Committee final report covering two large volumes of probably over 1600 pages showing our commitment on the POW/MIA issue which by the way was requested by the Chief Counsel for the Committee. Responding by letter I stated the case for our chapter because in the end the only thing that will "stand by itself" is the truth.

Seeking the support of our elected officials for funding was a positive also for the chapter. Indeed the pen is mightier than the sword and the letters and visiting with some in person has brought in additional funding which we have and will continue to use in the future.

The War is long over but the effects of having served in Vietnam have had both emotional and physical toll on many and I include myself in that. I am sure that the voices of those names on the Wall would ask us to do for the living who returned to fight the good fight for the Vietnam Veteran who has always had to fight for his just due. I do feel responsible in that I have done my small part to make our causes and concerns out in front so that those who represent us will not forget.

Again, thanks to all who will read this and I am humbled and honored to have been of service.