Welcome to the Vietnam Veterans Of America, Berks County Pennsylvania, Chapter 131 web site. This site was made to be a place where Veterans of all Branches of the Military, Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard can get information on what is going on in the Berks County Pennsylvania area.
It is open to Veterans, Wife's, Husbands, Mothers, Fathers, Children, Brothers, Sisters, Grandparents, and Friends of any Veteran, living or deceased. Please take the time to share any information you would like so that others may know about you, or someone you know who was in the military during Vietnam, whether served in country or out of country. Everyone no matter what is welcome.
VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA CHAPTER 131 (VVA)
Meetings the 2nd Thursday of the month at the
READING REGIONAL AIRPORT
2501 Bernville Road
Reading, PA 19605
Social Gathering 1:00 pm Meeting 2:00 pm
ASSOCIATE VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA (AVVA)
Their meeting is at 1:00 pm
The Berks County Combined Veterans Council meets at 7:00pm at the Berkshire Family Restaurant on State Hill road on the third Wednesday of the month. If you would like dinner arrive at 6:00pm.
You are encouraged to attend their meeting 7:30 pm
At our 11 April meeting voting our new officers were elected.
President: Walt Gensemer
1st Vice President: Dave Varone
2nd Vice President: Dave Ciscon
Sergeant at Arms: Robert Pacharis
Treasurer: Fred Kelly
Secretary: Hugh Gill
State Delegates: Gary Letterhouse, Don Logeman, Henry Perch, Dave Varone and Bob Simpson
Membership: Secretary Dave Krick.
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2024 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
April 19 - Friday - at 9:00am Fred Kelly will hold at Golf Outing planning meeting at Wyomissing Restaurant on Penn Ave in Wyomissing.
April 26 - Friday - Stand Down fourth Saturday of the month. Location change: Rotary Pavilion in Riverfront park, 140 College Dr., Pottstown. 10:00am to 12:00pm.
May 1 . Nominations for the VVA Chapter 131 Member Patriot Award are due to the Secretary of Chapter 131. If you have a high school graduating senior grandson or granddaughter they are eligible for this cash award. Contact Hugh Gill for the details. June VVA Chapter 131 monthly meeting essays written by graduating seniors who are going compete for the VVA scholarships are due to the VVA Chapter 131 Secretary, Hugh Gill.
May 9 - Thursday - Social Gathering 1 pm - VVA Meeting 2pm
May 14 - Tuesday, I , Jim Ulinski, will be leading a short presentation entitled What If? Pre-Planning. An open Zoom Meeting on Pre-Planning-VA Death Benefit / What If Tuesday May 14 th, 2024, I , Jim Ulinski, will be leading a short presentation entitled What If? Pre-Planning. An open Zoom Meeting on Pre-Planning-VA Death Benefit / What If ? During this short presentation I cover a good deal of information on the items your spouse/significant other/family will need in the event of your death. There are also many other sources of information from the VA, many of the Service Organizations, Funeral Homes, etc It is a Marine Corps League (MCL) Scuttlebutt session on Zoom ( Zoom app required) starting at 1900hrs, 7pm, lasting 1 hour. It is hosted by Victoria McCoy, National Public Relations Committee Chairperson. For information about MCL contact publicrealations@mcleague.org or contact Victoria McCoy at pamcl.srvice@outlet.com
PLEASE HOLD QUESTION OR COMMENTS UNTIL THE Q&A. SEATING IS LIMITED IN OUR ZOOM ROOM TO ONLY 300 (MAX CAPACITY) AND PRIORITY SEATING GOES TO MCL MEMBERS.
MEETING ID : 416 428 8328 (spaces are required) !!!
PASSCODE : MCL2024 ( MCL In CAPITALS)
Jim Ulinski p# 207-679-8101
May 17 – Friday at 10:00 am at Laureldale Cemetery on Pottsville Pike. Pike. We will once again honor the fallen and place flags at their resting places. If we have a good group it should not be more than about two hours, We will meet by the main office rain or shine...Thank you.
May 18 – Wyomissing Armen Forces Day Parade.Breakfast at Reading Vo Tech 7:30 am. Parade line up at 9 am, at WAWA gas station on Penn Ave, Parade begins at 10am. March or ride !!
May 25 – Wyomissing Hills Memorial Day Parade
May 27 – Memorial Day 🎺🎺
May 27 – Memorial Day Parade and Wreath Laying in Kutztown, City Park in Reading and Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg Township. More information to follow.
Jun - 8 - Saturday. The next VVA State Council Meeting will be held in Mechanicsburg at the Courtyard by Marriott . More information to follow.
June 13 - Thursday - Social Gathering 1:00 pm - VVA Meeting 2pm
June 14 – Army’s Birthday. HOOAH. 🪂🔫
June 15th, Honor Flight Philly. See Hugh Gill ASAP. Thus far we have 21 people from VVA Chapter 131 who are signed up to attend. Honor Flight is open to all Vietnam Era Veterans, men and women. For those people that are going to Honor Flight please pay the $25.00 for the ride to West Chester as soon as possible. If you have questions contact Hugh Gill. The transportation will depart Reading Airport at 3:45am on 15 Jun to arrive in West Chester by 5:00am for breakfast before your Honor Flight trip begins
July 4 - Independence Day 🎊🎉
July 4 – Pottstown Parade
July 11 - Thursday - Social Gathering 1 pm - VVA Meeting 2pm
August 4 – Coast Guard’s Birthday. ⛵
August 8 - Thursday - Social Gathering 1 pm - VVA Meeting 2pm
August 25 – Ride For Freedom. Keep watching for upcoming info.
September 12 - Thursday - Social Gathering 1 pm - VVA Meeting 2pm
September 15 - 16th Annual Golf Outing. Rich Maiden golf course.
September 18 – Air Force’s Birthday. ✈🚀
September 20 – POW/MIA Recognition Day - Candle Light Vigil
Keep watching for upcoming details
September 24 – 36th Anniversary Vietnam Memorial in Reading
October Halloween Parades – Temple update coming.
October 10 - Thursday - Social Gathering 1:00 pm - VVA Meeting 2 pm
October 13 – Navy’s Birthday. 🚢🛥🚤
November 9 - Veterans Appreciation Dinner Dance
November 10 - Marine Corps Birthday. OOAH ⚓
November 11 – Veterans Day City Park Service 11 am
November 14 - Thursday - Social Gathering 1 pm - VVA Meeting 2pm
December 12 - VVA Christmas Dinner - Thursday 2 pm
December 14 - Weaths Across America