JULY, 2007

It was a great convention in Corpus Christi and good to see those of you that attented.   We were encouraged by the support the VFWMG received by Department.  It was nice to be recognized as a positive extension of our Organization.   Unit 4 wishes to extend its most sincere congratulations to all the Groups that worked so hard throughout the year.   We are all making a difference!

Charlie (PaPa Smurf) Howell, President of Unit 4 and Dal Davis, Post Commander and VFWMG Treasuer enjoy the installation ceremonies at State Convention

Welcome to our newest Charter.  

Our Group has been busy this month at various event in our Community.  We have been honored to attend several "homecomings" of active duty military, returning to the area on leave.   Our community is very supportive and our Unit is faithfully there with open arms.  The airline being on time is not always a given, so the Unit finds themselves waiting in anticipation often.  It is an extreme honor to hold a flag as a soldier is escorted from the terminal.  One of our members said, "this is what we are really all about, it makes me so proud to be a part of this".  The Group attended "Welcome Home" ceremonies on the 9th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 20th, 24th, 27th and 28th.   As you can tell, we've been busy.  The media is most often on the scene and one of our members, Ronnie Tucker, was first to volunteer to secure of DVD of the event from the television station and deliver it to the soldier. 

Several trips to the recruiting offices in the Permian Basin have been made to do recruiting for the Post and the VFWMG.   We have found them to be an excellent source for leads.   We have secured flags from them to distribute at our various events.   

We are still called upon by berieved families during the loss of loved ones.   We were sad for our brother "Wild Bill" McNeill, during the recent death of his dad, Ray, a WWII and Vietnam Veteran.   The Group honored his memory and his service to our Country as escorts and Patriot Guard participants at Ray's service.  The group has attended two other funerals to honor the families of the passed.  We are always pleased to serve in this capacity.

Teresa Galloway, of the Auxiliary, participated in the Retiring of the Flag Ceremony at the Presidential Museum in Odessa.  She initiated fund raising efforts for SPC Stephens Williams of Odessa to cover travel expense f($1900) on a trip home from Germany.  Additionally, she has been very active in assisting Pat Williams, mother to SPC Williams, whose home was completely destroyed by a recent storm in our area.  A total of $3250 to aid in the rebuilding of her home has been raised to date.   If you are interested in contributing to this cause you may email Teresa at rwg100@cableone.net

We assisted the Ladies Auxiliary in a "Stroll Back to the Fifties" party at our Post.   We had an amazing turnout, due to the dedicated efforts of the ladies and the Group.   Our Post received very positive media coverage and the Programs were promoted.   Many Veterans attended and as always we all were busy recruiting. 

The party was complete with dance contest, hoola hoop contest, costume contest and a 50's Trivia contest.   Those attending have a ball.  The judges were fine representatives of our Post.   Commander, Dal Davis, Ladies Auxiliary President, Claudia Lewis and VFWMG President "PaPa Smurf" Howell.

Of course, there was a Motorcycle that many enjoyed uses as a photo prop.   Here's Rosa Tucker and Yvonne Sites mounted up . . . . with nowhere to go. 

The costume contest winners.   It was a real stroll back to the good ol' days.

The event was a successful one and hats off to the Ladies Auxiliary for making a donation to the Post for much needed renovations.   Way to go ladies.

The Group is now busy preparing for our upcoming event, The 2nd Annual Thunder for a Brother, Gary Gill Foundation for Two-wheel Safety.   We have much to do to get ready for the weekend.   We would like to invite each of you to attend on September 1st and 2nd at our Post, 409 Veterans Airpark Lane in Midland.  It will be a great event and we have submitted the flyer to the webmaster.    Please take and look and mark your calendars to attend.   Below is a picture that was taken at the event last year.   It says more than we ever could about the purpose of our endeavor.    A little girl "safely" parked her little pink bike along side the motorcycles. 

Come join us if you can.    Give us a call if you need directions or help with accomodations.

Gary Gill doing what he loved best.

Until our next report - ride safe.   God Bless you, our Country and our Troops.