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The meeting of August 28 of the Monessen Veterans Council was called to order by President Ron Chromulak. The Pledge of Allegiance was said and minutes of the July meeting was read by Secretary Essey and approved as read.

Back in May, a program was proposed where the Veterans Council can earn financial reward by doing a fundraising project with the 1st Slovak Association, and we did one at the local Wal-Mart on June 14, thus qualifying for this program by posing for a photo with 1st Slovak Association representatives at that time.They presented the check to the MVC, with Chromulak accepting the check. The photo was taken by VI photographer Darnell Graham. A round of gratitude and applause was given to the 1st Slovak Association, along with a Certificate of Appreciation from the MVC.

Next, at no cost to the Council, Chromulak presented certificates from the esteemed order of Hagi Baba and his band from the air, land and sea to all the collectors that took time to stand at Wal-mart and K-mart and otherwise collected monies.

A letter and a donation were received from a Thomas B. White, Brunswick, GA, but nobody knows who this person is. If you have any info, please contact any member of the Council. Two Gold Star Mothers have been invited to attend the parade: Darla Madison from Monessen and Mae Brock from Monongahela. If there are any other Gold Star Mothers in the Valley who would like to attend, please contact Chromulak at 412-515-7247.

Patron ad sheets were passed out and ads can be placed at a cost of $5 per line. A special section will be made for the Memoriam of any deceased veteran or family member at the same price. Pallini made a motion and seconded by DeFelicis to sent out letters to the different organizations by the middle of Sept and request them to be returned ASAP as to how many members plan to attend the luncheon. Motion was approved.

The Monessen library and the museum are undertaking a project to get the public ready for the Veterans Parade by presenting "Memories and Movies" during October. Award-winning movies of the past about America's role in keeping our country safe will be shown at the library on Wednesday afternoons from 1 to 4 p.m. They will also be reading letters sent back home from our soldiers, sailors, marines, etc. These are actual letters given to the Museum by families of our fighting men.

In other news related to the Veterans Day Parade, a motion was made by DeFelicis and to accept the menu for the luncheon from D&D Caterers and was accepted. Special recognition and thanks was extended to Herman Alvarez for his collection efforts for booklet ads. Chromulak is to contact the high school for a vocalist to sing the National Anthem. Sputzy Sparacino will be singing 'God Bless America.' Rev Pfeil will be giving the invocation and benediction. Vlasic will check on setting up of the tables for the luncheon. The firemen's hall will hold up to 250 people and will be opened to the veterans and public after the parade is over. There will be a prize awarded to the best float, and to the veteran outfit with the most people in their ranks; the amount of the prize will be determined at a later date. Hilltop Bus Line will be contacted about getting a shuttle bus for rides from the parade line-up to the hall and back to the line-up. Vlasic reported that Monessen native Bernie Sarra is a member of the Naval Academy and requested permission to contact the academy and his sponsors to permit him to participate in the parade. This was approved.

A special request is being made to any and all veterans of the Desert Storm, Afghan, Iraq and Middle East Wars to please call George Essey at 724-684-9239 and sign up, as we would like to honor your service while riding in the parade. If you prefer, maybe we can get a contingent to march in the parade. Thank you for your service!

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