‘

THE COUNCIL COURIER

Brevard Veterans Council, Inc. & Veterans Memorial Center, Inc.

400 South Sykes Creek Pkwy. Merritt Island, FL 32952-3547

Office 321-453-1776 DAV Service Office 321-452-1774

Fax 321-453-1152

Web Site: www.veteransmemorialcenter.org

December 2017

(A Coalition of Veterans Organizations)

A Veteran is someone who, at one point in his life,

wrote a blank check, made payable to “The United States of America” for an amount of “up to and including my life.”

Editor: Doris Hendricks

Council Chairman’s Report

Well November has been something to be proud of. The month started with our annual Veterans Day activities. Rain tried to dampen our day but everyone stayed till the end and enjoyed a great meal provided by Chic-fi-La. Then we supported Massing of the Colors at Eastern Florida University Campus and the turn out was great. Thanks to my stand in Donn Weaver who covered it for me. Next it was off to a fund raiser at Kiwanis Island. I wanted to say thanks to Col Knight and Sherriff Ivey for coming to share with us at all three events. We are proud to be the 1st location in the state of Florida to remember 22 veterans a day who take their own lives. A Gold star Mother Robin Kiepert who with others from around the area placed the the 660 flags at the entrance to the park on November 19 which will remain up for 30 days. This is the approximate number that is reported per month by the VA. Realizing that it is not every state reporting. Tickets still remain on sale for our annual Christmas party, which will be held Dec. 13 starting at 11am. Food is provided by Courtney Springs Village. A minor Meeting to be held at 10 to cover some agenda items with Rockledge H.S. presenting the colors. The council picked up several new members the past month and a new VFW post will be established in December by its authorized charter released. This will be the 1st new post in Florida in over 12 years.

.

Respectfully, Bill Kowalczyk Chairman BVC

President’s Report

We are definitely into the Holiday Season. November is a month of thanks, a time to remember our support for veterans, and a time to be with family and friends and to reflect on what we are thankful for. It’s also time to prepare for the quickly approaching Christmas and New Year Holidays.

We had a great Veterans Day ceremony which was attended by an estimated 500 people. A big thankyou to Donn Weaver, the MIHS JROTC cadets, Sea Cadets, Boy Scouts and all the other volunteers that made it a success. A special thanks to Chic-Fil-A for their generous contribution of a delicious lunch. The War Bird Museum hosted a 1920’s theme “Boomer Bash” with entertainment by a singing duo, Gracie and Lacy. Dave Miller manned a table/display to spread the word about our Center, Park, Plaza and Museum. A recently retired LCDR, U.S. Navy veteran, William Hillbert, Jr., sang an acappella rendition of the National Anthem. I am sure we will see more of LCDR Hillbert in the future.

November continues with our first annual Alternative Gift fair put on by our Museums of Brevard (MOB) group on Saturday, November 18th. On Sunday, November 19, we will sponsor a display of 660 flags at the entrance to our Center to honor the Flags For Forgotten Soldiers Display. This display is to honor Veteran loved ones we have lost to suicide, 660 flags displayed for 30 days. Each flag installed represents a Veteran that takes their own life each month, at the alarming rate of 22 each day. We have T-Shirts for sale in the Veterans store to honor this event.

Dean Schaaf, President

PLAZA REPORT

The Plaza was looking great for Veterans Day activities. Thanks to Chad and Kitty from C-Spray for completing all outstanding brick orders and refurbishment. Thanks to Chad Shore for cleaning and preserving the War Dog again. We added a 250 pound drop bomb next to the A-7 that we picked up from the former Army Navy store in Cocoa. We continue to get more orders for bricks every week which helps us to maintain the appearance of the Plaza. We are working to help support two new monument projects planned for our new park. 1st one is helping the Medal Of Honor Park team to get started with additional fundraising. Then the Four Chaplins Monument team which is working towards being completed in late February. We could use some volunteers that would be willing to come over on weekends or during the week to weed all of the islands around the parking lots near the Plaza and Park. The county is short of personnel and it is our park which we need to keep looking outstanding.

Respectfully Submitted, Bill Kowalczyk

VETERANS DAY

MUSEUM REPORT

Attendance at the museum is rapidly picking up. We had 839 visitors in October, as snow birds began trickling back. We’ve also had some big events already in November. We had 130 people for a tour by preschoolers and their parents and on Veterans Day, we surpassed 500 visitors between those who attended the ceremony and those who visited later in the day. We especially enjoyed the talk on Veterans Day given by our museum partner, Dr. Barbara Gannon from the History Department at UCF. She repeatedly commented about how special she thinks the museum is and can see all the hard work, love and care so many people have put into making it a wonderful place to visit. Many thanks to all who have helped and those who continue to support us!

If you’re interested in joining us as a docent or working in the store, library or as MOD, please submit a volunteer form or contact Becky Zingarelli (321-704-9194). The museum is open 6 days a week from 8:30 – 4:00, and noon to 4:00 on Sundays.

Artifact Highlight for the Month:We recently received, free of charge,two large display cases from Florida Tech. One is in the USMC section and contains Marine Corps rifle badges, hat badges and insignia, through time. The other is along the railing in front of the Women in the Military section and provides a new and easier way to display our challenge coins. Check them out when you get a chance.

Becky Zingarelli, Asst Museum Curator

A Piece of History

Provided by Lou Rossi

Veterans Memorial Center Founding Member

Four Chaplains: In the early hours of February 3, 1943, the US Army Troopship Dorchester steamed through the icy waters of “Torpedo Alley”. some one hundred miles off the coast of Greeland. The ship carrying more than 900 men, was having a rough go of it. Winter winds screeched across the North Atlantic, and heavy seas pounded the bow beneath the frenzied surface lurked a ‘German Submarine’.

At 12:55 AM a torpedo ripped into the Dorchester’s side, and immediately the ship started to sink. Desparate soldiers rushed topside, stumbling toward the lifeboats and jumping overboard.

Amid the confusion, four Army Chaplains quickly and methodically, calming the soldiers, redirecting them toward the lifeboats, and handing out life jackets. When they ran out, they took off their own life jackets and put them on other men.

They were four chaplains of different faiths; Jewish Rabbi Alexander Goode, Catholic Priest John Washington, and Prostestant Ministers George Fox and Clark Poling. They had joined the US Army to tend to the spiritual needs of the troops. Now in this hour of urgent need, they put their courage and faith to work so others might live.

As the ship slid beneath the surface, soldiers in the lifeboats took one last look at the Dorchester. They saw the four chaplains standing on the deck arms linking, praying

Rescue ships plucked 230 men from the sea, but 672 died in the freezing Atlantic. The four chaplains were not among the survivors.

“They were always together” one of the soldiers later said. “They carried their faith together.”

The four chaplains died as they lived, serving their country, their fellow men, and GOD.

MEMBERSHIP

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! Just a reminder to everyone if there is a change in your membership information to please make me aware. As mentioned in the Courier previously this will assist our leadership as it will provide statistics that they can use to promote our Center, our Council and apply for future grants and recognitions. Thank you for all you do for our center/museum and out Veterans in need.

Doris Hendricks / Membership

“Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world. A Veteran doesn’t have that problem

”Ronald Reagan”

“The two enemies of the people are criminals and the government. So let us tie the second down with the chains of the Constitution so that the second will not become the legalized version of the first.” Thomas Jefferson

WHAT IS A VOLUNTEER

A person who voluntarily offers himself or herself for a service or undertaking. Please consider volunteering if you are able to.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends.” – Abraham Lincoln

OUR COUNCIL COURIER

Hello everyone! I hope that everyone is enjoying The Council Courier. Thank you to everyone that helps monthly to accomplish this. It continues to be the goal of this editor to have it completed the last day of each month. And also to have it emailed or mailed to you within the first two business days of the month.

I would encourage anyone that is able to receive their Courier per email to please do so. Email copy is nice as it is in color. The mailed copies are in black and white only. Contact me and let me know if you are able to receive it per email. Also if there is a change in your email address I will need it. Emailing helps to reduce printing and mailing expenses involved with it.

If you have an article to submit please make sure it is to me prior to the 15th of the preceding month. Should you have any questions or concerns about the Courier or

It’s distribution please feel free to contact me at dorisroses@yahoo.com and/or at (321)458-1138.

Doris Hendricks/Council Courier

“Local Businesses”. We will show their Business Card in our Courier monthly. It will be $5 a month or $50 for the year. Any questions please feel free to contact me. Doris Hendricks / Courier Editor

“If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” ― George Washington

*ATTENTION*

NOTE: As of January 1, 2018 all fee’s will be reviewed. All agencies will be required to pay a meeting contract and/or increase in existing contract. Per the Executive Staff.

Thanksgiving and Why I Joined the Military

By Margie Collins

This might sound a little unbelievable but my family has been able to trace our ancestors back to the Mayflower. There are three people that we can trace to: John Howland, John Billington and Stephen Hopkins. Back then, the children and grandchildren of the original families intermarried quite a bit, which is why we can trace back to three Pilgrims. I grew up in Massachusetts where Plymouth Rock and Thanksgiving are celebrated to a much greater extent than in some other places. So I have been very proud of being an American from my earliest years. When I decided to join the Air Force I was 32 years old (they take nurses that old!) and had decided that it was time that I took my turn serving my country. I was barely through my first few weeks at my first base when my husband of 8 years decided that this was not the life for him and left my 5 year old daughter and me to live our new lives in Texas alone. It was hard, but it turned out that I loved the military life and my daughter and I thrived.

Three years later we moved to Germany where I served at Wiesbaden Hospital for three years, meeting my new husband, an MC130 pilot flying for a Special Operations squadron at Rhein Main, and later giving birth to our son there. When that tour was completed, I decided to resign my commission, and went on with my husband to his next assignment in Florida, where our youngest daughter was born.

The Pilgrims came to this country for freedom and independence. I am very proud that I am descended from them. As a single parent in the military, I became free and had to learn to be independent. As a spouse of a SpecialOperator who was defending our freedom, I had to maintain my independence as he was often TDY or deployed for long periods of time. Freedom and Independence: That is why I decided to serve in the military, that is what I learned in the military, and that is what I am grateful for this Thanksgiving.

VERANS GIFT SHOP

We were back on track in October. The store contributed $1,000 to VMC. November is off to good start. We will have a new “Veteran Lives Matter” shirt in time for our special suicide awareness display and program on November 19th. Also this holiday season we will have Veteran Sales Store gift cards (plastic, swipe). We have picked up three new distributors including Nine Line apparel.

Dave Miller

LIBRARY REPORT

Another advance at the VMC library was a new policy on handling donated media.The following is the main ideas of this policy. The complete policy can be read on the library bulletin board.

August 9, 2017 : Library Book/Media Sales Policy

As of the date of this policy, the VMC library will not accept books or other media on loan. All donations must be outright with no expectations of retention or display of the items. Donors will complete a donation form relinquishing ownership and future control over the disposition of the items in their donations.

As for the donations prior to the date of this policy, the Library will develop and execute a procedure to allow prior donors to reclaim their donation, if desired, within one month of this policy date if the items are still available in the library. After that date, all items will be considered the sole property of the Library to retain or dispose of, as needed.

For items the Library does not desire to retain, they may either be sold in the library for unspecified donation (at buyer’s discretion), donated to another organization, or otherwise permanently removed from the Library . No such books will be sold through the Museum Store which will only sell military-related, commercially available books and those written by local authors.

Tim Scott , Assistant Librarian & Paul Julian, Librarian

A GOOD READ

Air America by Christopher Robbins

During the Vietnam war many air operations came under the CIA air force known as Air America. It would come as a shock to find out that Pan Am once supplied air support for the invasion of Red China, or that British Airways had been the lifeline for Tibetan horsemen who parachuted into the Himalayas to fight a guerrilla war. It would be unthinkable that any of the world’s major commercial airlines would indulge in illegal overflights of Russia and China and support rebel troops against legally constituted governments.

But Air America did all those things and much more. The book “Air America” written by a British writer is well written and covers the unbelievable activities of this the LARGEST Airline IN THE WORLD! This is a good read.

Tim Scott Librarian assistant

Bob Rutigliano

Thomas Faron

David Slawson

George Kappes

Theodore Schmid

Ed Venable

Russell Graddick

John Fishbourne Van Lear, III

Jerry Byrne

Travis White

Robert Kolterman

Stephen Bodie

Mark & Sherry Reichert

Ken Huffman

Duane Vierk

Jackie Knoll

James Greene

Lance Armstrong III

Everett Watson

Franklin Sebree

John Sherman

Jeffrey Heiser

Channing Hayes

Mark Grual

Becky Zingarelli

Donald & Mary Henry

Shane Burgman

Gregory Guerrero

Rebecca White

SICK CALL& TAPS

Taps: None to report this month.

CHAPLAIN MESSAGE

I hope all of you had a Blessed Thanksgiving. Now we continue our very festive time of year.

Remember Pearl Harbor, December 7th 1941; Japan attacked America, killing thousands.

At Sundown December 12th begins the seven-day, eight night celebration of Hanukkah, which celebrates two things: a miracle in which one day’s worth of oil burned In lamps for eight days, and the victory of the Jewish freedom fighters over the Syrian-Greek forces that tried to wipe out Judaism.

In a larger sense, then, Hanukkah celebrates a reaffirmation of freedom and a recommitment to the spiritual quest.

On December 25th, we have the Christian celebration of the birth of Christ. The current celebration as we know it began under the Roman Emperor Constantine (his Mother was a Christian). He had accepted the one true God, and Jesus Christ as his Savior. The population of Rome was not converting easily. Constantine met with Christian leaders and together they agreed to change the celebration of the winter solstice to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Thus began Christmas, as we now know

Matthew 2:11

After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

HAPPY HANUKKAH AND MERRY CHRISTMAS. HAVE A BLESSED MONTH.

Chaplain Chip

Brevard Veterans Council & Veterans Memorial Center

Become a Booster today and help defray the cost of printing & mailing our newsletter.

Only $10.00 per name per year! Show Your Support!

Our Booster Club

Skip and Ruth Bateman (July 2026)

In memory of Noel Lee Bateman

In Memory of Robert M. Best

Stephen Bodie (Nov 2017)

Margie & Gary Collins (August 2018)

Tom Daley (June 2018)

John & Janet Dymond (Sept 2018)

Bob Estes (April 2018)

Rick & Joan Fugaro (Oct 2018)

John & Cindy Kaufmann (March 2018)

Paul Kuisle (May 2018)

Caot Ed Lanni (May 2018)

Rick Leonhart (June 2018)

J.P. & Donna Longway (Sept 2018)

John & Roberta Martin (May2018) Richard McConaughy (Dec 2017)

Rev. Daniel & Betty Mix (Nov 2017)

Ms. Sharon Mix (Nov 2017)

Mel & Dora Mueller (March 2022)

John R. Newman (Nov. 2017)

AilenePicheco (August 2018)

Walt & Kim Ranallo (June 2018)

Gary W. Rapp, USMC (Aug 2018)

Tom & Patricia Roseland (January 2018)

Ted Schmid (Nov 2017)

John S. (Tank) Sherman (Sept 2019)

Jim and Anh Tootle (August 2018)

Conrad J. “Low-Rider” Wohltmann (Sept 2017)

In Memory of Florence Lynch

In Memory of John Lynch

In Memory of Alice “Linea” Wohltmann

In Memory of John D. Wohltmann

Donn & Jeanne Weaver (Sept 2018)

In Memory of Lt Todd Weaver

Bill Weimer (December 2017)

Warren C. Weld (June 2018)

If you feel your name is missing and that you paid for Booster sponsorship this year, please contact the Treasurer

Thank you for your forbearance and understanding. This is a work in progress!

Fill in your names and send to the BVC along with your check. Please make your check payable to:

Brevard Veterans Council. Single Name - $10.00 / Double Names – $20.00

Name(s)____________________________________________________________________________

(Please print legibly)

Brevard Veterans Council Officers/Board

Chairman Bill Kowalczyk 321-302-4077 takethehill6@live.com

Vice Chairman Dean Schaaf 321-452-0365 dschaaf@brevard.net

Past Chairman Bill Vagianos 321-431-0364 bvagianos33@gmail.com

Secretary Ray Norman 321-452-5376 normanrayl@yahoo.com

Treasurer Ted Schmid 321-863-3640 ted4021@att.net

Chaplain Chip Hanson 321-543-7505 chipvietnam@aol.com

3 Year Bob Doyle 321-276-7814 vmcoperationsmgr@gmail.com

3 Year Ted Suzor 321-271-4322 dolfyns21@cfl.rr.com

3 Year Gerald Watkin 321-243-0440 bigskymt@aol.com

2 Year Alex Terrero 321-759-5543 aja3@bellsouth.net

2 Year Steve Bodie 321-720-2020 dbodie620@att.net

2 Year Skip Bateman 321-693-9910 lbateman@cfl.rr.com

1 Year Donn Weaver321-613-2 403 jdweaver@cfl.rr.com

1 Year Margie Collins 321-225-4069 margiecollins@cfl.rr.com

1 Year Paul Julian 321-452-9414 pjulian54@yahoo.com

Veterans Memorial Center Board of Directors

President Dean Schaaf 321-452-0365 dschaaf@brevard.net

Vice President Bill Kowalczyk 321-302-4077 takethehill6@live.com

Past President Bill Vagianos 321-431-0364 bvagianos33@gmail.com

Secretary Ray Norman 321-452-5376 normanrayl@yahoo.com

Treasurer Ted Schmid 321-863-3640 tedschmid88@gmail.com

Chaplain Chip Hanson321-543-7505 chipvietnam68@aol.com

3 Year Rod Smith 321-978-5359 rsmith2580@bellsouth.net

3 Year Harry Beaver 321-507-4228 sgmbeaver@netzero.net

3 Year Lou Rossi 321-455-9743 no email

2 Year Doris Hendricks 321-458-1138 dorisroses@yahoo.com

2 Year Chris Gibson 503-467-6102 dasgibby@hotmail.com

2 Year Jay Longway 321-449-9037 jpl3x@yahoo.com

1 Year Becky Zingarelli 321-704-9194 beckyz77@cfl.rr.com

1 Year Ernie Hoffman 203-962-9000 ernest-hoffman@hotmail.com

1 Year David Miller 321-210-2776 daveduck@outlook.com

Veterans Memorial Center

OperationsBob Doyle 321-276-7814

Security Manager/Asst Operations Ted Suzor 321-271-4322

Asst Operations,& Membership Doris Hendricks 321-458-1138

Facebook Admin. & Website Webmaster Doris Hendricks 321-458-1138

Council Courier Editor Doris Hendricks 321-458-1138

Website Asst& Courier Asst Linda Wilson 315-278-2401

Asst Museum Curator Becky Zingarelli 321-704-9194

Special Projects Coordinator Donn Weaver 321-613-2403

Museum Store David Miller 321-210-2776

Board of Trustee’s

(Phone Numbers Listed Above)

Ted SchmidRay Norman Tim Scott

Jay LongwayBob Doyle Linda Wilson

Ernie Hoffman

TABLE TENNIS CLUB

Meets

Every Monday 7:30-10:30 pm &

Every Wednesday 7:00-10:00 pm

For more information, call

Bill Mitcheson 321-243-1048

Kevin Pollard 321-340-2002

3 DAYS OF PARTY BRIDGE

Tuesday 12:30

Wednesday 12:30

Thursday 12:30

For information,

Jewell & Bill Schick at 452-2387

MEETING ROOMS &

RECEPTION HALL

FOR RENT

Hourly or Daily Rates

At the Beautiful

Veterans Memorial Center

Call 453-1776 for information

Operations

This Newsletter is recyclable, pass it along to a friend, mail it, copy it, post it on a bulletin board, copy articles into your newsletter

The Council Courier is the Monthly publication of the Brevard Veterans Council, Inc, and the Veterans Memorial Center, Inc. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily that of the organization. News items, poems, and letters of interest to Veterans are encouraged. We reserve the right to edit anything submitted. The Council is not responsible for content of fliers inserted by our members.

This Newsletter is mailed at reduced rates and the Post Office will not forward it. Please give any address changes or corrections to Doris Hendricks at 321-458-1138, or mail it to her at The Brevard Veterans Council, Inc., 400 S. Sykes Creek Pkwy., Merritt Island, FL 32952

DECEMBER EVENTS

American Legion Post 344 – Last Thursday each month 6:00pm to 7:30pm

BIN – Every Tuesday 7am

Bliners – Every Wednesday 7am

Blue Thunder Motorcycle Club – 1st Saturday each month 10:00am to 11:00am

Bone Builders– Every Monday 10:30am to 11:30am AND Every Thursday 9:30am to 10:30am

Brevard Veterans Center – Board Meeting 1st Wednesday each month 9:00am

Brevard Veterans Center – General Meeting 2nd Wednesday each month 9:00am

Bridge – Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 12pm to 3:30pm

Cape Canaveral Ladies – Last Monday each month 2pm to 4pm

Cocoa Beach Sail and Power Squadron – 1st Tuesday each month 6:00pm to 8:00pm

General Membership Meeting, 2nd Thursday of each month at 12PM

Fleet Reserve Association – 1st Wednesday each month 6:00pm – 8:00pm

FL Sports Fishing Assoc. – Last Tuesday each month 6:30pm to 9:30pm (except Jan/Aug/Dec)

Harbor Woods – March only 1 Wednesday – 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Jazzercise – Every Monday 5:00pm to 7:00pm AND Every Wednesday 5:00pm to 6:40pm

Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA – 210) – (Execs) 2nd Wednesday each month 11:00am to 12:00pm (Members) 1st Wednesday each month 1:00pm to 2:30pm

Marine Corps League Chapter 513 – 1st Thursday each month 6:00pm to 7:00pm

MIA/POW – 2nd Monday each even number month 11:00am to 1:30pm

Military Order of the Purple Heart – Last Monday each month 11:00am to 1:00pm

NAUS & BVC – 3rd Thursday each month 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Rolling Thunder – Last Sunday each month 2:30pm to 4:30pm

Sea Cadets 2nd Friday 6pm

Table Tennis – Every Monday and Wednesday 6:00pm to 10:00pm

World Of Fitness with Mark Miller 3rd Thursday each month 6:30pm to 8:30 pm

Zumba– Every Monday 9:30am to 10:30am (Low Impact)Every Tuesday 9:30am to 10:30amEvery Saturday 9:00am to 10:00am

“If you have an article to submit please forward it to me prior to the 15th of the preceding month” at dorisroses@yahoo.comDoris Hendricks, Editor