VVA Chapter 218 Santa Barbara

To the Membership of Chapter 218: It is with a heavy heart that I report that John Kerr, a longtime member of Chapter 218, passed away on May 1, 2020 (correct). He was born on July 22, 1949. I only learned of this today when notified by his former wife, Joan. I confirmed his death with the Ashland, OR mortuary. John and his partner, Beverly, had apparently moved to Ashland about two or so years ago. Unfortunately, due to COVID, there was no funeral or memorial service. ...No cause of death was listed. For many years John was a vintner and sold his wine under the label of Cambodian Red and in turn donated much his proceeds to helping other veterans and to the chapter. John also served the chapter in various positions, but his most beloved treasure of all was our Huey Helicopter. He gave hours upon hours to maintain the bird, keep it clean and make sure it was always presentable every time it went out on display. Our condolences to Beverly and to the family members he leaves behind. He shall be missed. May he rest in peace. Peter Bie President VVA Chapter 218 | Santa Barbara Photos by Mo McFadden and we welcome your additions to the page if you have some of John.

Hello to all: Instead of sending you the body and text of the weekly VVA update, I’m sending the link below. You can then go directly to the VVA website and check the current update, plus many that are archived. Give it a try https://vva.org/category/web-weekly/ The VVA is among several Vets Organizations that are calling for the firing of VA head Wilkie... Wishing you a most joyous Christmas and a New Year that is filled with so many better memories than we’ve had this past year!! Peter Bie President VVA Chapter 218 Santa Barbara, CA

The Santa Barbara Airport Visitors Center, headed by Tim Lawton, has recently been defunded. This also ends the informative tours that were given to thousands o...f grade school kids over the years. I don’t know if the center will still be available to the groups that meet at the center. I’d like to throw out a great big THANK YOU to Tim for his many years of service to the airport, community and education provided to all the kids he gave tours to. There were many.

Article from Orion Mag I think you’ll enjoy. https://orionmagazine.org/article/the-soldier-and-the-soil/

To the Membership of VVA Chapter 218 throughout the USA: On this Veteran’s Day 2020, it is my sincere hope that each of you is doing well, staying safe and observing this day with reflection and pride on your service. As those who served during the Vietnam era, whether you were actually in-country or posted elsewhere in the world, we all share a common experience: We were part of something that is now etched into history and will be with us for the rest of our lives. What...Continue reading

https://www.cityofgoleta.org//access-brainfuse-jobnow-vetn Also in SYV