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Dear Colleagues and Friends in the Chaplain Corps,

See the photos for a glimpse at our participants for the April Luncheon and Planning Meeting.  We convened at the Patton Club (formerly the Officers’ Club) at Fort Myer, Virginia for a marvelous buffet.  This was a “working lunch” for our group to take up on-going plans for the 9th Biennial Chaplain Corps Family Reunion.  Dates for the Reunion are 7 – 10 November 2018.  We will be gathering under the theme, “Always In Service.”

The DC local planning effort convened for the prayer (offered by David Hicks), a delightful meal and shared updates.  Attending were (picture 1, left to right): Donna Weddle, Jane Heaton, Wayne, Jr., Connie and Wayne Ice, David and Janice Hicks; (picture 2) Gary Dahl, Gerald Holliday, Randall Bowen, David Bowerman, Bill Jokela, Eric Wester, Jack Marcom, Susan Dahl, Phyllis Marcom, Renee Klish and Wayne Lehrer.

Regrets were offered by Kristi Pappas, Sherry and Jerry Reynolds, Jeffrey and Monika Young, Mary Pullen, Timothy Mallard, Ben and Betty Nass, Ivan Ives, Jim and Justine Roberts, Steve Moon, Benchuck Manning, Dennis Madtes and Doug Lee.

Our next meeting will be on Friday, 15 June at 1145.  Our location is a “sneak preview” of the site for the reunion:  Sheraton Pentagon City, 900 S Orme St, Arlington, VA 22204

Stay tuned for further details about our next meeting, on-going calls for volunteers and plan to register for the November Reunion!

(Tucson): Sandy & Bob Flaherty, Steve Utter, Terry Cotton, Ken and Ann Kolenbrander, Rose and Dave Lundell, Donna Weddle, Tom Day	(Scottsdale)- Dan Butler, John Schumacher, Ken Bucey, Sue Delossa, Sandy Flaherty, Bob Flaherty, Al Delossa, Donna Weddle, Martha Schumacher
(Tucson): Bob Flaherty, Donna Weddle, Eugene Friesen, Ken Kohlenbrander, Ann Kolenbrander, Terry Cotton, Sandy Flaherty	(Sierra Vista)-Skip LaMertha, Donna Weddle, Tom Day, Ken and Ann Kolenbrander, Dawn LaMertha, Pat Dickson

The Arizona Chapter has held four lunches this winter, two in Tucson, one in Scottsdale, and one in Sierra Vista.  Thanks so much for all who attended and helped set these lunches up.  We’ve had several new participants this year and are happy that so many are able to get together with old and new Chaplaincy Friends.

If you’d like to join us,  or have started a new group of your own anywhere in the country, please send pictures and information to Donna Weddle dcweddle@cox.net.  I’d be glad to help in any way I can.

Donna Weddle

3^rd Vice President for Local Chapters

At the Fall Luncheon meeting of the DC-area USACCRA on Thursday, October 12^th, we started with local plans to support the 2018 USACCRA National gathering.  The biennial national gathering includes the volunteer effort with contracted support from Armed Forces Reunions.

Dates – Wednesday (1700) through Saturday (1200), 7 – 10 Nov 18

Where – Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel

“The Arizona Chapter has had two great lunch meetings this winter and is looking forward to a third on April 7^th, at Ft. Huachuca.  The first lunch was held at the Thunder Canyon Brewery, in downtown Tucson, on February 9th.  Attendees included Donna Weddle, Steve Utter, Roy Ludlow, Eugene Friesen, John Stieve and daughter Sarah, Dave Lundell, Ken and Ann Kolenbrander, Tom Day, and Bob Bendick.  The picture is again hampered by all of our bright Arizona sunshine. 

The second lunch, organized for the Phoenix/Scottsdale/Glendale crowd, was held at Mimi’s Café in Scottsdale on March 1^st, with the Al and Sue DeLossa, Marion and Carol Pember with daughter Kim, John and Martha  Schumacher, Bob and Sandy  Flaherty, and Ken Bucy present.  Thanks so much to Al DeLossa for organizing this lunch. 

Our next lunch will be on April 7^th at Ft. Huachuca.  Thanks so much to Fred Robinson, Ken Kolenbrander, and Tom Day for leading this event.  Please contact Donna Weddle at dcweddle@cox.net for more information.”

Please edit as needed, Dan.

God’s peace,

Donna

We didn’t take a picture this time, but here is the summary of our last meeting.

The East Alabama Chapter of USACCRA met Tuesday, March 28, at the Golden Corral in Oxford, Alabama.

The guest speaker was LTC David Wood, Professor of Military Science at Jacksonville State University. Those attending were apprised of numerous changes in ROTC recruiting and training, as well as new issues relevant to all commanders, given new personnel policies currently in place.  

Attending were George Gray with his sons David Gray and Larry Gray, Jim Holiday, Jim Wilson, Mickey and Sandra Morton, Troy and Dianne Douthit, Hugh and Dorothy Kelso, and Tom and Carolyn Smith.

The next meeting will be on June 27 at 11:30 again at the Golden Corral in Oxford. Any and all chaplaincy family members are invited.

Thank you for including this article in the next newsletter.

Tom

Thank you, Eric Wester, for providing the photo and the following write-up:

On Tuesday, 16 May, we gathered as currently serving and retired chaplains, chaplain assistants, and DREs.  We met at the Fort Belvoir Officers’ Club overlooking the scenic Potomac River.  This time there were no reported sightings of bald eagles, but routinely visitors to the area spot them either flying or perched in all their glory.

We welcome all attending:  Eric Wester, Gary and Susan Dahl, Donna Weddle, Dave and Janice Hicks, Demetrius Walton, Carleton Birch, Timothy Mallard, Wayne and Connie Ice with son, Wayne, Jane Heaton, Sherry and Jerry Reynolds, Bill Jokela and Randall Bowen.

Due to travel or moves, we extended greetings and prayers for some not with us who sent word:  Wayne Lehrer, Ben and Betty Nass, Rick Cantrell, Jeff and Monika Young (in Germany), Ivan Ives (in Oregon), Dennis Madtes (attending his youngest son’s college graduation in SC) Paula Wester (working at Walter Reed) and Ron Crews (relocated to Gainesville, GA).

Chaplain Timothy Mallard, the garrison chaplain, welcomed our group and offered our invocation and prayer of gratitude for the meal.  We enjoyed a bountiful buffet and got some updates.  First, Donna Weddle, shared her grateful words for the enormous support and turn-out for the committal service to bury beloved Army Chief of Chaplains (MG) G.T. Gunhus on Friday, 28 April at Arlington National Cemetery.   Also, Donna is a member of the National USACCRA Board, so she provided information about the hotel search for the planned Fall 2018 national USACCRA gathering.  The 2018 USACCRA meeting is planned for the national capital region.  Details about the gathering and our preparation and support will follow.
Chaplain Mallard updated the group on ministry activities at Fort Belvoir and emphasized the robust and diverse military mission and vibrant chaplaincy activities, including 10 different regular worship services, religious education, and other ministries.

Finally, we noted the upcoming 242^nd anniversary of the Chaplain Corps and planned observances.  Additional information received on the day of the meeting announced a morning memorial service at Fort Myer, Arlington, VA, along with ceremonies at Chaplains Hill and the Tomb of the Unknowns.  All of these activities will be Friday, 28 July 2017.  Practicing and retired chaplaincy personnel will be welcomed at this event planned by the Military District of Washington.

Next Event:  Fort Myer, Friday, 28 July 2017 to commemorate the 242^nd Anniversary of the Chaplain Corps!  Watch for further details.

On July 29^th the local San Antonio USACCRA Chapter sponsored a memorial service at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.  This was the second annual service.  Last year our first one was very small.  We were thrilled to have such a great turn out this year.

Each year we select a representative Chaplain and Chaplain Assistant who is laid to rest at the Fort Sam Houston Cemetery.   We honor their memory on behalf of the thousands of Chaplains and Assistants who have served our nation from the American Revolution until today.  This year our attendance was bolstered by a great turn out of active duty Chaplains and Assistants.  Also, we were pleased to have family members of our two honorees, Chaplain Conrad Walker and SSG Manuel Barrera.  We also received excellent support from the National Cemetery administration and the MSD organization.

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“New and old members of the AZ Chapter of USACCRA had a good luncheon on Feb. 17, 2016, at the Thunder Canyon Brewery in Tucson.  We were happy to have the Days, Kohlenbranders, Weddles, Roy Ludlow, Steve Utter, and retired Chaplain Assistant Terry Cotton, who was able to attend for the first time.  Most were from the Tucson and Sierra Vista area, with others in the Phoenix and Sierra Vista area unable to attend because they had many guests who were escaping some colder area, or were recovering from illnesses. We mourned the loss of Chaplains Emil Dinkel and Marty Ford in our group.  We’re planning to have our next meeting in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. Look forward to seeing many then!”