May - Korean War Veterans Association

ers in the parade. Eight of them rode the three-mile route in a 2
1/2-ton Army truck.
The Pearl River parade is ranked as one of the largest in the country.
This year it included 130 entries. Crowds numbering 3-4 people
deep lined the entire route on both sides of the street. It was tremendous
for chapter members to witness the patriotism the large crowd
exhibited, and to hear the many “Thank yous” as they passed by.
Many Korean War veterans from New York and New Jersey were
scheduled to participate according to the official parade program.
After the parade ended, chapter members enjoyed a great meal at
the Clifton Buffet in Clifton, NJ. Everyone had a great time at both
the parade and the dinner. Many members spoke of the great welcome
by the crowd in Pearl River. They will never forget the shouts
from the crowd, “Thank you, Korean War veterans.”
Louis Quagliero, 142 Illinois Ave.,
Paterson, NJ 07503
187 WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS 2000 [MA]
Our guest speaker at the 7 April 2010 meeting was Mrs.
Kristian Lecca, Veterans Agent from the Veterans Service
Department, Holyoke, MA. She spoke to members regarding veterans’
benefits and rights.
Mrs. Lecca answered all our questions in full detail. Hers was
a very informative and up-to-date talk.
James K. Stathis, 42 Pine Grove
Dr., South Hadley, MA 01075
Kristian Lecca addresses
members of Ch 187
181 KANSAS CHAPTER 1 [KS]
We held our annual pancake breakfast on Saturday, March 27.
The highly successful event generated funds which we will use
to support our troops and their families in the year ahead.
Old soldiers Jack Kumme,
Charlie Pearson, Conrad
Brady, and Manny Hernandez
(L-R) of Ch 181 enjoy a tall
tale over a cup of coffee at
their chapter’s Pancake
Breakfast
38
Tom Stevens, Executive Officer
of Ch 181, chats with comrades
Lou Ramsey (L) and
Tom Walsh (C) from CID 43 -
Kansas City Missouri #2
A party of Young Marines from Gardiner, KS was on hand to
help chapter members at the event. The kids were trying to
finance a trip to Washington, DC for Memorial Day.
Chapter members participated in a Memorial Day service at
the Kansas Memorial site in Overland Park, Kansas. The main
theme honored our MIA comrades.
Don Dyer
ddyer15@everestkc.net
A party of Young Marines from
Gardiner, KS was on hand to
help Ch 181 at its Pancake
Breakfast. The kids are trying
to finance a trip to Washington,
DC for Memorial Day
Richard Roepel, Ch 187 Commander, thanks Kristian Lecca for her informative
insights at chapter’s April meeting
210 BREVARD COUNTY [FL]
2009 proved to be one of our busiest and most rewarding
years since the chapter was created in 2000. In addition to numerous
color guard and wreath laying performances throughout the
county, our chapter served the Brevard Veterans Council by performing
Manager on Duty at the Brevard Veterans Memorial
Center and took part in the Massing of the Colors at several patriotic
venues.
We also supported many events of other Florida KWVA chapters,
veteran/military and civic organizations throughout the
county and state, including American Legion and VFW posts.
Our year began with our serving as host for the presentation
of Medallions of Appreciation to local Korean War vets. The cer-
May – June 2010
The Graybeards