Text Box: membership.  I want to continue to work on refining our existing membership information, as well as to look for ways to attract new members.  In general, I want to work for the benefit and betterment of the organization and its members.  I’d like to propose the appointment of Brother Jim Lynch as Service Officer for VVI.  He is the Service Officer for Porter County and is very knowledgeable of Veteran’s benefits.  He is dedicated to helping Veterans get the benefits they are entitled to.          I’m looking forward to serving VVI, and with your help, I’m sure we can continue to prosper. WELCOME HOME! Text Box: I consider it an honor to have been elected President of Vietnam Veterans, Inc.  I’ve been involved with the organization since it was formed in 1983, and I believe that I have a good understanding of the responsibility that has been entrusted to me.   I have seen this organization grow and develop into a group that is respected.  It is my intent to continue this growth and progress with the help of many who have vowed to be there when needed.    I want to thank Mose for all that he has done during his many years as President.  We have done many things and accomplished a lot during that tenure.  Mose remains as a Member of the Board of Text Box: Directors  and I hope and trust that he will continue to serve the organization.  Those are definitely some big shoes to fill!   I also want to thank Scriv for his many years of service as Secretary. He’s done a great job and has always been there to help.  He has definitely done his share and often more than his share.  I was glad to see Jerry show up to participate in the Memorial Day Ceremony at our Monument.  I hope that he will continue to be there to help.   I don’t anticipate any major changes in the way the organization operates.  I have some ideas that I would like to pursue and I would also like to encourage input and ideas from the Text Box: FROM THE PRES’ HOOCH* BY PAT MCGRATH Text Box: VVI FUNDRAISER—ONE WORD—SUCCESS! Text Box:  The weather sucked but the crowd was grooving!  Outside it was a chilly April night but inside Post 1130 was hot and friendly!  I think everybody who attended this year’s VVI Fundraiser enjoyed it immensely.                   The Vet Burgers were excellent once again...Pink was dishing ‘em out left and right.  And Text Box: WHAT can we say about those Vietnamese Egg Rolls but ALRIGHT, ANNIE!  I do know that Ms. Ann Pappas got some help this year preparing those suckers...Charlie Martin and Pat McGrath helped the Egg Roll Queen the best they could and once again they were awesome.  Thanks to the three of you for a job well done. Text Box:  The dancing started off at 8:00 P.M. with South Shore followed a bit later by a version of The Rock Doctors...some old faces and some new faces.  These two bands got the crowd a’movin’ and  warmed everyone right up.  At 10:00 P.M. the wonderful Ladies of Post 1130’s Auxiliary dished out their usual delicious fare          (continued on Page 3)     Text Box: VIETNAM VETERANS, INC. Text Box: SUMMER 2004 ISSUE 10 Text Box: WELCOME HOME VVIText Box: MICHIGAN CITY’S       INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE SATURDAY, JULY 3  Parade kicks off at 11:00 a.m.  ALL VVI PARTICIPANTS TO MEET AT 9TH AND FRANKLIN STREETS AT 9:30 A.M.

Text Box: *Editor’s Note: Mose was asked to add an article for this newsletter, something from the outgoing president, but he failed to respond.  

Text Box: LAPORTE’S   4TH OF JULY PARADE SUNDAY, JULY 4TH Parade kicks off at 1:oo p.m. ALL VVI PARTICIPANTS TO MEET AT GARWOOD FARM  MARKET’S PARKING LOT  (206 LINCOLNWAY) AT 11:00 A.M.