NEWSLETTER
Midway Chapter 16
P.O. Box 1774, Salina, Kansas 67402-1774
July 2023 Issue: 7
OFFICERS: President – Gary Keil 785-822-4131; Vice President – Jason Bathon; 785-577-1659; Secretary - Bill Vinyard 785-827-8394; Treasurer - Roger Thull 785-827-7981; Chaplain – Moses Stewart 785-827-5956; Sergeant of Arms – Bill Quinley
MEETING LOCATION: Salina Senior Center, Board Room on Second Floor, 245 N 9th St, Salina, KS
MEETING TIME: 1:00 pm/ DATES: July 14, August 11, September 8, October 13, November 17, and December 8.
MEAL: Tater Tots Bake, Peas & Carrots, Fruit Cocktail, and Wheat Bread with Butter
HOPE EVERYONE HAD A GREAT FOURTH OF JULY WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!
SECRETARY'S COMMENT: I was thinking about what to write for this month's newsletter. Behold the remarkable teamwork exhibited at our fundraising luncheon event on June 14. We accomplished another first, a community free lunch (hot dog, chips, sodas, and water) to celebrate Flag Day. Chapter Vice-President Jason Bathon did a SUPERB job of marketing and soliciting contributors/sponsors/supporters for our event. A grateful THANK YOU to the following businesses and people: Mary Landes, Executive Director of The Masonic Temple; JAB IT LLC, Mahaska Bottling Company, Armstrong Entertainment (Jon Armstrong DJ service); Save Rescue Love (SRL) that Dog, Inc; Stardust Trophy, Streit Sandblasting, Sam's Club, Martinelli's Little Italy restaurant, Market Shop, Paul Deghand, and Phil Coleman. Also, the members of VVA Chapter 809 and VFW Post 1432 for their help, Taft and Barbara Yates forDONATING the Smart TV and tickets, Cheryl Clark, Wardene Stewart, Bertha Vinyard, Lauren Bathon, and the women of SRL for the Bake Sale, and Team Chapter 16. Lastly, thank Jason Bathon and Ronald Sondergard for grilling the hot dogs.
55-INCH SMART TV RAFFLE WINNER - Doug Randolph
GUEST SPEAKER: Gunnery Sergeant Christopher A. Seematter (Active-Duty Recruiter), Marines Recruiting Sub-Station Salina.
WELLNESS: Dorothy Armster and Shirley Wagner. If you know a member that's ill, had surgery or has passed away. Please let us know.
BIRTHDAYS IN JULY: John Geisler and Michael Llamas.Happy birthday to you all!
COFFEE WITH VETERANS (VVA, Chapter 809): Wednesday or Friday at 9:30 am VVA room at the Temple, 336 S. Santa Fe, Salina. All war stories are greatly appreciated. After coffee—YOGA exercises each Friday at 11:00 am.
TIDBITS OF JUNE MEETING: Wardene Stewart won the $20 gift card attendance drawing. Guest Speaker Mary Landes, Executive Director of The Temple Salina Innovation Foundation, Mary updated the members about some of the renovations needed at the Temple (elevator and kitchen area) and the businesses renting offices. Treasurer Roger Thull presented the financial report of four expenditures and four deposits as of June 9, 2023, with an ending checking balance of $3745.74. We reviewed the plans for the free luncheon on June 14. W. Vinyard reported that member Bob Clark (an auctioneer) had suggested having a big auction event. We decided to add the event to the 2024 budget and have the auction next year. Moses Stewart will represent chapter 16 by driving his vintage Porsche car in the Salina Juneteenth Celebration parade on June 17. On June 10, Bill Vinyard and Roger Thull will work a TREA chapter 16 recruiting table at the Veterans & Military Appreciation Day in Central Mall.
BILL S-777 COMPENSATION COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT (COLA) ACT of 2023 (signed on June 14): The bipartisan legislation will increase compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and military survivors under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Thus, increase certain VA benefits, including disability compensation, clothing allowances, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children to reflect increases in the COLA.
DATES IN JULY: Disability Pride Month (July 1 – July 31), Plastic Free Month (July 1 – July 31) month, Independence Day (July 4), U.S. Resumes Diplomatic Relations with Vietnam on July 11, 1995), Be Love Day (July 16), and International Self-Day (July 24). A QUOTE FOR JULY: "Tears of joy are like the summer rain drops pierced by sunbeams." — Hosea Ballou
UNITED WE STAND
