Dear Brothers;

First off I want to personally thank the guys who attended the Veterans Day ceremony in LaPorte. We carried in the flags, and looked damn fine doing it! Also thanks to the guys who went on to Chesterton for the dedication of the new Vietnam Veterans memorial. YOU MUST SEE THIS MEMORIAL. It is located just off the by‑pass, at Porter Ave., just behind the EMS building. It is one of the nicest you will ever see.

Congratulations to Art Rose, named VETERAN OF THE YEAR. I know Art works hard for fellow veterans, and should serve as an inspiration to us all. For those of us who attended the Red White and Blue Veterans Ball, it was very special to see "ONE OF OUR OWN" win. We are glad to have you as a member Art.

Enclosed in this newsletter is information about the Great Lakes Military History Museum. If you have never been there, you are missing something real neat. It is in the shopping center on U.S. 20, across from the Marquette Mall, behind the Chinese restaurant. They have one whole area just for Vietnam. They occasionally have tours of school kids coming through, and they need Vietnam Vets to explain some of the items to them. I know we all work, but some of us work shift work, or have days off during the week. If you can spend a couple of hours helping out at the museum, call Marlene at 872‑2702. This is a very worthwhile place, and you will be a better man for helping out.

The annual Christmas party is coming up. This year, a committee was set up to arrange the party. It will be Saturday, January 22,2000, at the LaPorte VFW Post 1130. Cocktail hour, (free drinks) will be from 6:OOPM till 7:OOPM, dinner at 7:OOPM with a cash bar from 7:OOPM on. The cost is $10 per person. There will be a 50/50 drawing, but no other tip boards. Dinner will either be prime rib or steak. For any other details, contact the Christmas committee, Pat McGrath and Larry Pinkerton.

Speaking of Christmas, I hope you and your family have a nice Christmas and a Happy New Year. Can you believe it is the end of the 20th Century? I am sure most of us never thought we would live to see it. Especially some of the times when we were under enemy fire. But we are here, and we should be happy to be alive, and proud to be a Vietnam Veteran. Why don't you start the new millennium off right by getting involved with our organization. We now have about 80 members, but only about 20 who are involved at all, and only about 10 who do all the work. If you can live with that, you are a better man than me. YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE MISSING. It is really a very fun group; there are many rewards to being a part of the action.

NEXT REQULAR MEETING ‑ WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 8, 7:OOPM ‑ LAPORTE VFW POST 1130

SINCERELY:

Richard J. Mrosinski Jr. President, Vietnam   Veterans Inc.