November 2011 - The Galena Territory

48 November 2011 MEMBERS, EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
By JOHN TOURTELOT
During my years as a resident
of The Galena Territory, I have
run into many fellow veterans of
the various armed services who
served during the Vietnam era.
While spending a day shopping
in Elizabeth, I ran into some
fellow veterans who advised
me that there is a local Vietnam
Veterans organization known as
the VVA chapter #928.
Although I did serve in
Vietnam from 1968 through
1969, I learned that the chapter is
open to all U.S. armed forces veterans
who served on active duty
(other than training purposes) in
the Republic of Vietnam between
Feb. 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975,
Territory Times
or any other
duty location
between Aug.
5, 1964 and
May 7, 1975.
I ended up
joining the organization
and
found that its
members are
from all walks John Tourtelot
of life and reside in or around
the Galena area. One can be as
active as you wish and I have
found that they participate in a
great many community events
and, on occasion, raise money
to maintain, among other things,
the Memorial located in downtown
Elizabeth. I strongly encourage
any Territory resident
who might be interested in taking
a short ride to view the memo-
rial and the beautiful benches
commemorating those who have
served their country in a time of
need.
The chapter presently has 22
active members, 17 individual
members and five life members.
I have a great many friends who,
although they did not serve in
Vietnam, do qualify to become
members and are welcomed with
open arms. As I sit at the meetings
I am very much in awe sitting
with individuals who gave
back to their country and made
so many sacrifices simply because
their country needed them.
To me they are living heroes
and whether they are sharing
their personal stories or simply
sharing in a conversation over
a beer, it is a pleasure and an
honor to be in their presence.
www.thegalenaterritory.com
VVA chapter #928 pose infront of their memorial in Elizabeth. Left to right: Art Carlson, Rick Gesiorski, Kim Griffith, Bob Heuerman, Al Panico, Howard Wilkinson, Wolf Rohm,
Dale McCall, Bruce Hansen and Roger Hudon. Contributed photo.
Vietnam Era Veterans Wanted
477139-01A(5GTA11
It’s always the right time
to learn piano!
Susan Lipnick Piano Studio
Piano lessons for all ages and stages
2 Valley Rd • Galena, IL
815-776-0223
lipnick.piano@gmail.com
460283-01(11GTA11
4602 460283-01
There are still many more of you
who are living in The Territory
and I encourage you to contact
the president of the chapter,
Rick Gesiorski at 815-858-9015
or 815-953-9015 (cell) for more
information.
The chapter meets the first
Saturday of every month either
at the Hanover VFW or on alternating
months at the Welcome
Inn on Main Street in Elizabeth
(across the street from the memorial).
The owner, Al, will
greet you with a big smile and
a hearty meal. Also, you may
see some of our members on the
street selling brats or hot dogs
to support the chapter’s mission.
Please stop and say hello.
They cooked pork tenderloins
at the Craft Fair in October and
on the Columbus Day weekend.
Look for them at the Elizabeth
Community Center off of Route
20 in Elizabeth. Hoping to meet
many of you in the near future.
May They Never Be Forgotten
John Tourtelot is a former
drummer with a rock group from
the Chicagoland area and was
the host of the television program
“The Law Corner.” He is a parttimer
and greatly enjoys meeting
the people of The Territory.