Chapter members who served in the Army were honored at the June 14 meeting. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT – In conjunction with the 233rd birthday of the U.S. Army, Chapter 951 Vietnam Veterans of America honored its Army veterans at the chapter's June meeting. The group met at St. Mary's Church Hall, Lakeport.

The Army birthday coincided with June 14, Flag Day. Dean Gotham, president, distributed certificates to15 Army veterans who were in attendance at the chapter meeting. There are many more Army veterans in the chapter and they may pick up their certificates at any meeting.

Robert Deppe, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2015, presented awards to Gotham, Randy Sutton, and Warren Fox as top fundraisers during the Memorial Day weekend. The chapter equally shared a percentage of the proceeds with VFW and the Ladies Auxiliary.

VVA allots funds for its outreach program. In recent months assistance exceeded $1,000 to help a family pay a portion of utility bills as well as educational assistance, food, medical referrals, rides to medical appointments and help for the homeless.

Meredith Lahmann, associate member, presented Gotham with a $250 check from her church, Gaililee Lutheran. This represented an initial grant from the church and will be applied to the "Seniors Not Forgotten" project.

During the holidays, the chapter distributed socks and blankets to local residents in nursing homes. Local merchants were exceptionally generous, donating almost $2,000. Dan Davi and Frank Parker from VVA succeeded in raising these funds all within a two week period.

Henry Bethel, VVA member from Nice, took this photo of the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial located at VA Central California Health Care System, Fresno. Fundraising and construction for the monument was made possible by Chapter 933, VVA, Fresno. The dedication ceremony was held June 14.

{mos_sb_discuss:2}