2008 ADVA National Balloting

 

Candidates for Office

 

     Balloting for ADVA national officers and the approval of by-law revisions will take place in 2008.  Members should receive ballots by postal mail in early April and must have them returned by the date specified on the ballot.  Members must have current dues paid up in order to have a valid ballot.

    

 

 

NATIONAL COMMANDER

 

David W. Taylor, Medina, Ohio; Platoon Leader with Co. C, 5th/46th 1969; 4 years active duty, 22 years Army Reserve Special Forces, retiring as Colonel. 27 years in management positions in the plastics industry, including international, advertising and new business development; Lifetime ADVA member, Purple Heart, VFW, VVA, Special Forces Association; Member of American Legion. Co-Chair of ADVA National Reunion 2001,  Eastern Chapter Reunion 2006, ADVA Sr. Vice-Commander, Editor, Contributing Editor and WWII Historian.

     I will continue more transparency in the ADVA while strengthening existing programs, such as scholarships and buddy location services to members. My top priorities are (1) Recruiting, (2) Making national reunions more affordable for members and (3) Revitalizing the WWII Museum.

 

 

 

 

SENIOR VICE-COMMANDER

 

Jay (John) Flanagan, Cranford, NJ. Co. C, 1/52nd, 198th LIB, June '68 to June '69, Infantry and Weapons, 24 months active duty. Firefighter, Elizabeth, NJ for 21 years, last 5.4 years Director of the Fire Department. Presently President of the Elizabeth Firemen's Federal Credit Union. Member of the ADVA since 1997, Eastern Chapter Reunion Coordinator for the year 2000, Vice Commander 2001 to 2004 and Commander from 2004 to 2007. Member of the VFW, American Legion and VVA.

 

I would like to continue the membership drive and encourage involvement in the drive to draw more of our fellow Americal veterans to the organization. Our most shining activity is the Scholarship Program and we all should continue to encourage eligible students to apply.

 

David D. Eichhorn, Fleming, OH.  U.S. Army Feb. 1970 to Dec. 1971.  Medic, HHC and Co. C, 3/21st Inf., 196th LIB Aug. 1970 to Aug. 1971.  34 years wastewater technician for Krayton Polymers.  ADVA 10 years, past East Region Chapter Commander, Buffalo 2007 ADVA national reunion Chairman.  VFW 36 yrs., American Legion 18 yrs., DAV 14 yrs., VVA 8 yrs., 196th LIB Assoc. 9 yrs.

 

Continue the good work of the scholarship fund and provide benefits to as many applicants as possible.  It is good to give all qualified applicants an award to recognize their achievement and interest in further education.

 

 

 

 

 

JUNIOR VICE-COMMANDER

 

David A. Chrystal, SR.; Centralia, MO. Assigned to Co. D, 4/3rd Inf. 11th LIB and 1st Plt, 23rd MP Co, 68-70. 17 yrs, 2 months, 26 days Retired SFC PDRL.  Infantryman and Military Policeman. Operations manager and dispatcher/driver for a small trucking company. Life member of ADVA since 1993. Chapter commander, Chaplain, 2005 Reunion Committee Chair. Life member of DAV and American Legion.  Member of VFW. Heart Transplant 1996. 
 
The ADVA should continue to aggressively seek funding for the scholarship fund and should continue to encourage eligible applicants to apply. Maintain the aggressive effort to recruit and retain new members. Support the efforts to maintain the WWII archives and museum. Hold reunions that are both attractive to the members and economical to attend. Continue to expand Vietnam War Archives and make them eligible to anyone who wants them. 

 

Larry Swank; Bowie, Maryland.  Artillery Officer with the 3/18th and 1/14th supporting 1/6th Infantry, 67-68; 25 years active and reserve service (E1 to E5 &  01 to 05), including 10 years Army Staff at the Pentagon; currently winding up second career in information technology. Webmaster of Co A, 1/6th web site, restoring thousands of member photos from Vietnam. Working closely with Sr. Vice-Commander on recruiting, processing over 25,000 Americal orders from the National Archives to recruit ADVA members and bring vets together.

 

The best from ADVA is reuniting with the great men and women who shared that experience and the Americal Journal. Priority is to recruit intensively and develop systems, using recruiting data, for a top notch buddy locator service for the ADVA. 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBER and/or SCHOLARSHIP TRUSTEE

 

Thomas N. Bedient; Lenexa, KS.  Platoon Leader in C, D, and E-Recon, 4/3 Inf., 1968-69.  Retired from active duty in 2003.  Army service spanned 37 years including Regular, Guard, and Reserve.  Worked in health care administration during a long break in service.  ADVA  1999 Reunion Banquet guest speaker.

 

ADVA should continue outreach to out-of-touch-but-never-forgotten comrades in arms.   Modifying unit web sites to include full unit alpha rosters with a mechanism to unite lost friends may be our most vital service to current ADVA members and potential new members.

 

Wayne M. Bryant, Greensboro, NC. 25th Division and then the Americal 1/46th, Co C in DaNang, 1971. Infantryman, Sgt E-5.  Retired from the NC Dept of Transportation after 31 yrs as a Highway Construction Inspector. Life Member of the ADVA for about 8 yrs.  Member of the membership committee, Product Sales Director, one term on the Executive Council. Member of the VFW and a founding sponsor of the National Army Museum.  Life Member of the CIB Association.

 

I would like to see the recruitment of new members as high priority. The scholarship fund is another project of the ADVA that needs to continue to grow. Helping all members to become acquainted with each other should also be of focus, especially at reunions.

 

Dr. Robert F. Cudworth; Moosic, PA.  Assigned to Hq, 11th LIB and Hq, Americal, 1969; 20 years active duty as an Infantry Officer; ret. 1974 as an O5.  Member of ADVA for 38 years.  Very active in Eastern Regional Chapter affairs; membership, registration and Finance Chair for 2007 Buffalo convention.  Member of DAV and MOAA and am active in numerous local and state veteran councils and organizations. 

           

Because of the limited active history of the Americal, the membership pool is small and declining. Our continued existence is dependent on a well funded and aggressive recruiting effort and alternative membership needs to be explored.  The scholarship program must continue to be emphasized and avenues of additional income need to be examined.

 

Mark L. Deam; Sidney, Ohio. Co. C, 1/6th Inf., 198th LIB Feb. 1968 to Sept. 1968. 198th Brigade TOC Sept. 1968 to Feb. 1969. Two years active duty. Infantryman- RTO. Retired from the Ohio Department of Transportation after 34 years, district Survey Operations Manager.  ADVA member since 1994, attended my first chapter reunion in 1999 and all since then. The first national reunion I attended was in 2002.  I’ve been the treasurer of the Eastern Regional Chapter since 2001 and maintain a database of the chapter members. I’ve also been a member of the American Legion for 31 years.

 

I have not been involved as an officer in the national ADVA.  I do support the scholarship fund and the reunions.

 

Malcolm P. East, Lumberton, TX.  Co. B, 723rd Maintenance Bn. 1969-70.  Service and Evacuation Platoon Sgt. Twenty-one years of service.  Machinist and machine shop foreman.  Oilfield equipment manufacture and repair for twenty-eight years.  Retired two years ago.  Member of ADVA for twenty years.  Junior Vice-Commander, Executive Council, Secretary-Treasurer of South MidWest Chapter for eight years.  Member VVA Chapter 292, Texas State Council Treasurer two years.  Member 24th Inf. Div. Assn.

 

ADVA should encourage membership recruiting at all levels.  Reach consensus as to future of ADVA.  Encourage members to donate personal items to Texas Tech Vietnam Archive for preservation.  Continue the best scholarship program going.  Have reunions at more accessible sites with more economical tours.

 

Ronald R. Ellis; Henderson, TX.  Served active duty, 18 months, Infantryman.  Arrived in Vietnam Jan. 1971.  11th Armored Calvary until stand-down early 1971.  Transferred to Co. C, 5/46th Inf., 198th LIB then Co. C, 1/46th Inf., 196th LIB.  Member of ADVA for 20 years; National Commander, Executive Council member, and presently Assistant National Finance Officer.  Life Member of ADVA, 196th Infantry Association,  Veterans of Foreign Wars, Combat Infantry Association, and member of American Legion.

 

The ADVA should continue recruiting new members and former members that have been dropped for non-payment of dues.  Continue the scholarship program and conduct fund-raisers to keep our budget balanced.  Keep the Americal Journal a profitable form of publication and use it as a recruiting tool.   

 

John Ronald (Ron) Green; Dearborn, MO.  Assigned to HHB, 6/11 Arty., 1970-71. four years active duty, 26 years Army and Air Force Reserves; Medical Service, Military Police and Security Forces.  Teacher and Educational Administrator for 31 years, will retire in 2008.  Member of ADVA for 13 years, assisted with 2005 Kansas City reunion and will serve on Scholarship Committee.  Former post commander VFW, former district vice-commander, and current post commander with American Legion.

 

The ADVA should continue to improve and expand the Americal Journal by encouraging more articles about individual exploits.  Continue to expand the amount available for the scholarships and increase the number of applicants.  Encourage more membership by holding steady on annual dues.  Vary locations for economical and satisfying reunions.

 

 

E. Lee Kaywork, Fernandina Beach, FL.  Squad Leader Co. C, 1/46th Inf. 1968-69; Graduate of NCO School, Infantryman.  Forty year Executive in the Telecommunications industry; currently an executive consultant.  Member of the ADVA for 6 years; Chairman of the 2008 ADVA Reunion, Vice Commander SE Chapter, President of the Vietnam Veterans of Nassau County, Member of the VFW and American Legion.

 

The ADVA should continue its mission as a living memorial to the veterans of the Americal Division and plan to insure a perpetual memorial.  The National organization should assume a more active role in the planning and execution of our reunions and continue to expand the scope of chapters and create an umbrella for many smaller organizations to operate.   

 

Ronald J. Krul, Tonawanda, NY.  Co. A, 4/3rd Infantry, 11th LIB, 1966 – 1968, 11 months in Viet Nam with the Americal; Infantryman.  Employed in education for 30 years, the last 15 years at the University at Buffalo as an Assistant Dean.  Member ADVA 8 years, DAV Life Member, The Military Order of the Purple Heart Life Member, Media Relations Office MOPH.

 

Along with the outstanding leadership, The Americal Journal is the most cohesive element of the ADVA maintaining contact and keeping informed every member. The continuation of this publication is the most viable asset of the association.  There should be implemented an orchestrated effort to increase membership of Americal vets, and associate membership to children and grandchildren of vets to maintain the associations longevity.

 

George T. Mitchell, Defuniak Springs, Fl.  Co. E, 3/1st Inf., 11 BDE,

1971-1971, Chu Lai, Hill 411, Charley Ridge,  Mortars.  Assigned to Co. E & Co. C, 1/46th., Ridgeline, Danang, Firebase Linda, mortars, infantry missions,  MOS 11C20.  Active duty 24 months,  Dates 23 Mar 71-22 Mar 73, Hon. Discharge 21 Mar 77.  Member ADVA 5 years. Life Member-American Legion, Post Cr10 Costa Rica, Finance Officer 1yr.; VFW Post 11207 Costa Rica Life Member, Sr Vice Commander & Adjutant 3 1/2 years.

 

Currently VFW Post 3822, Surgeon yr. 2007, Quartermaster ProTemp. 5 months ; DAV Life Member; 196th LIB Assoc. Life; NRA Life, Kennedy Space Center worker 20years. 

ADVA should continue scholarship, Vietnam Records, conservative budget,

affordable vet meets, no increase in dues.

 

 

Thomas R. Packard, Galloway, Ohio.  Artillery trained but assigned to the 23rd MP Co., 196th Inf., 1972. 5 years, 10 months total service. Retired Senior Project Manager, 31 years, Franklin County (Oh) Clerk of Courts. Member ADVA for 7 years. Currently Executive Council, Far West and 23rd MP Chapter Secretary/Treasurer. VVA Life member, 26 years. Chapter 16 Past President, 3 terms. Chapter 670 founding member and Past President. Past Chairman, Columbus Veterans Advisory Board.

 

The ADVA must continue an aggressive membership recruitment effort and hold affordable reunions. We must continue the effort to collect and record our personal histories. Continue to work within our budget. Finally, our legacy and my first priority is the success of our scholarship program.

 

Carlo Pola, Sandwich, MA.  Co. C, 57th Engineers, 1941-43, awarded the Purple Heart on Guadalcanal.  Officer Candidate School (OCS), demolitions instructor.  Discharged from active duty in 1945, served in the reserves with 483rd Engineers until 1982.  Retired as a Major in 1982.  Active in ADVA from its early years, former treasurer of Cape Cod Chapter.  Electrician for a private company and with IBEW.

 

The scholarship program is outstanding.  The comradeship of the ADVA is always present.  The ADVA has done a good job in welcoming Vietnam veterans and making them feel that they served their country well.  I support the collecting and publishing of WWII and Vietnam history on behalf of the families of those who served.  The reunions keep the ADVA alive.

 

Mitchell J. (Mitch) Przybycien, New Lennox, IL.  Co. I, 132nd Inf. Regt., 1943-45, Infantryman.  Comptroller in construction industry for 29 years.  Member ADVA 60 years, VFW 60 years, past post commander.  132nd Inf. Regt. WWII Veterans Assn. Sec-Treas. and newsletter editor for 35 years.  Member of American Legion.

 

I strongly believe in the scholarship program and the opportunities it gives our young people.  I have always enjoyed attending reunions and I will continue to attend them as long as I am able to do so.  Attended 2007 reunion in Buffalo, NY.

 

Richard K. Smith, Friend, NE; Assigned to the 23rd Military Police Company in September, 1971 until Chu Lai closed.  Then was assigned to the 196th Lt. Inf. Bde. in DaNang until June 28, 1972.  I was assigned as a military policeman and gate guard.  I am retired from Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad after working for 33 years.  I have been a member ADVA since September 1991. 
 
I have also been a member of the American Legion for 36 years.  I am a member of the VFW and 40/8.  I am presently the ADVA sergeant-at-arms and serve as a trustee on the Americal scholarship committee.  I have attended conventions of the ADVA for the past nine years. 

 

Larry Watson, Wooster, OH. Co. C, 1/52nd  Inf. and Co. A, 1/6th Inf., 1967-68; 24 months active duty, 11B20. BS in Business Administration, Akron University. Owner “Watson Office Supply”. Currently the director/veterans service officer of the Wayne County Veterans Service Commission. Current ADVA National Commander and state treasurer of the Ohio State Association of County Veterans Service Officers. Past member of the ADVA Executive Council. Member of the VFW, American Legion, MOPH, AMVETS and DAV

 

I will support our new National Commander and promote his programs and projects. I would like to see the association provide greater support in the planning and execution of national reunions. I see this as important for providing our members with reunions that are fun and affordable.