Chapter 333 - In Action

Chapter #333 is an involved and active group. Involved in education; involved in recreation; and involved in the larger community

Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 333 and Jersey Explorer Children's Museum, Jersey Youth Corps, and Jersey Americorps, in conjunction with the National Park Service, are proud to sponsor Vietnam Memories, Stories Left at the Wall.

Vietnam Memories is a traveling museum designed to give students an understanding of loss and healing by examining personal objects, photographs, and letters which were left at the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall in Washington D.C.

Members participating in this educational program are volunteering their time, and are free to do as much as they care to. No one is required to participate.

September 12, 2007 -- People to People

A recent article in the Rockland Journal News indicated that the local People to People Rockland County Food Bank was turning away clients because they did not have sufficient food supplies to satisfy the normal demand during the month of August.

As a result of this newspaper article Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 333 Rockland County decide to help.

On 9-12-07, Ed Frank, Chapter 333 President visited the People To People Nanuet Offices and presented a check in the amount of $500.00 to Dolores Treger, Executive Director, People To People.

This year, Chapter 333 celebrates twenty years in the community at our pig roast. Food , fun and fellowship were enjoyed by all. A special journal was prepared for the occasion, and the proceeds from that journal went to benefit Olivia Taylor, who suffers from Aicardi-Gouiteres Syndrome. AGS is an extremely rare disease, with less than 50 cases reported worldwide.

Photos from one of four Watchfires in Rockland County (Gene Levy Park, Ramapo; Piermont Pier, Piermont; Clausland Mountain, Orangetown; and Bowline Park, Haverstraw) Additional photos in the newsletter. At each site, flags that were no longer in serviceable condition were retired to the flames with due honors.

March 18, 2007. The chapter color guard turned out for the St. Patrick's Day parade in Pearl River, NY.

On December 15, 2005 members of VVA333 played Santa to 146 needy children. With the assistance of the community at large, the Salvation Army and the Marine Corps Toys for Tots (Rockland County detachment), we were able to supply toys to children whose family income is $15,000 and under. Our group spread their joy at the Rainbow Connection Daycare Center in Nanuet, and the Village of Haverstraw (Rockland County New York. Some of the children, for financial reasons have never experienced the joys of the Christmas season. There is no greater joy than to see the smile of a child receiving a gift and for some this was the very first time. The ethnic make up of the groups was very diverse and the children are taught that we are all of one. Joining Santa (Bruce Witchendahl) are Santa helpers Gae Lombardi, Lee Pelton, Alan Hamowitz and Howard Goldin.

December 3, 2005 VVA333 held its annual Holiday Party for its members, which was well attended. One of our members, Bernard (DOC) Duff, a members now living in Lake Havasu City, Arizona flew in for this event. Bernie, a former Medic with the 51^st Medical Group, Phu Bai (69-70) is a Nationally known painter and presented his chapter (VVA333) with the attached painting in honor of all those who have served.

If you like Bernie’s painting, drop him a line at michvet3@yahoo.com Additional paintings can be seen here

On November 23, 2005 members of VVA333 joined forces with the Salvation Army Spring Valley Branch, to prepare Thanksgiving meals for 165 needy people. Just like the old days, we were ordered to peel spuds for the troops. We also collected food, set up boxes to give out Thanksgiving Dinners, help carved turkeys, set tables and chairs for feeding “our troops”.

From October 9 - 16, 2005, members of VVA333 took its second (2^nd) annual vacation cruise. We sailed to the Western Caribbean and enjoyed one week of fun in the sun and camaraderie. Our ports of call were Belize, Costa Maya, Cozumel and Grand Cayman Island.