Minutes & Notices

of Chapter #33

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Minutes of April Meeting
and
May Meeting Notice

FOURTH MARINE DIVISION ASSN.
GRAND CANYON CHAPTER 33

Minutes - April 17, 2008

The April meeting, our annual picnic, was held at the American Legion Post #75 in Phoenix. there were 20 members and guests in attendance:

Dennis & Norma Kavanaugh
Glenn & Daisy Thompson
Warren & Enid Connell
Marv Puryear & Barb Janssen
Tom & Betty Chukas
Doris Haury
Jim & Helen Duke and son Ben
Alma Amodei & Toni
Ken & Jo Russell

Guest Speaker: Sam Lowe

The meeting was called to order by President Ken Russell, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Vice-President Glenn Thompson. Ken opened with prayer.
Lunch was prepared and served by members of the American Legion Post. Mr. JOE BROWN donated the food and with the help of DANNY JORGENSEN and DAVE HAXTON, cooked and prepared it for us. THANK YOU JOE. Danny and Dave! It was a delicious meal, served on the patio of the Post. Glenn Thompson and Dennis Kavanaugh also were instrumental in putting the luncheon together.
Our guest speaker was SAM LOWE, author and former writer with the Phoenix Gazette. his column was called “The Lowe Road." He visited all over the state of Arizona, especially the quaint and out-of-the-way places and wrote about them. He spoke to us of some of these places and it was very informative and most interesting.

We had a short business meeting following the speaker. The minutes were approved as written and Warren Connell gave the Treasurers report. We have approximately $600 in our account.
Dennis made a motion we send a $125.00 donation to the American Legion Post #75 as a “thank you” for our luncheon. It was seconded by Jim Duke and passed unanimously.

We are saddened by the death of Bruce Starkweather and extend our sincere sympathy to Corrine and their family. The services were held at the National Memorial Cemetery at 10:30 a.m. on April 25th.

We discussed the May meeting and it will be decided later with notices being sent out in advance.
The meeting adjourned, followed by Dennis providing bingo for a few that stayed to play. We had a very good time and a big THANK YOU to all that made it a good day!
Semper Fi,
Jo Russell, Secretary

4th MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION
GRAND CANYON CHAPTER 33

Kenneth Russell, President
Glenn Thompson, Vice President
Joanne Russell, Secretary
Warren Connell, Treasurer

May 12, 2008

An Invitation to ALL CHAPTER 33 Members, Wives & Friends

**MONDAY, MAY 26th** - CHAPTER 33 - MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM
WESLEY BOLIN PARK - MEMORIAL SITE

TIME: 11:00 A.M.

Lunch will follow at HOME TOWN BUFFET
1501 W. Bethany Home Road
SW corner of Bethany Home Rd & 15th Avenue
(602) 242-5882

**Please note the change of meeting day & time!**

Plan to join us for this special Memorial Day Program to honor
All “Fallen Hero’s”

R.S.V.P.
Glenn Thompson (602) 943-4049
cell# (602) 369-1404 or
Dennis Kavanaugh (602) 956-3556

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
There will also be a ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, May 26th.

I TOUCHED THE WALL

For all the men who answered the call
Ten years after the war, they've built a wall.
Names of the dead_row after row_
It took recognition so long to grow.

I walked along and felt a chill,
Honor and pride in their presence, so still.
With a lump in my throat and tear-filled eyes,
I touched "The Wall" and to my surprise,
It touched me back, as if to say in a solemn way_

"Wanted to be among the brothers
Not the chosen to fall.
Wanted back in the world alive,
Not a name etched on a wall.
Wanted to hear, 'Thank you'
For a job well-done,
Or a voice warmly saying,
'Welcome home, Son'"

The men who went are being honored now,
Word got through to the world somehow.
Now it seems the anger is in the past
And everyone's talking of our plight_at last.
The Vietnam War and its controversy
Have taken their place in history.

Before you leave we wanted to say,
"Enjoy your freedom every day.
Don't ever discount your liberty
For we've all died to keep you free."

Yes, I touched "The Wall"
And to my surprise,
It touched me back,
Filling both my heart and my eyes

   By Alma Amodei
        Mother of John Michael Amodei, Vietnam Veteran
        Wife of Ben Amodei, WW II 4th Div Marine Veteran