Viet Nam Vets Motorcycle  club   Alaska

Armed Services YMCA 

Members of the Viet Nam Vets Motorcycle Club of Alaska, Anchorage Chapter, attended the Armed Services YMCA of Alaska 27^th Annual Salute to the Military.  Since the USO does not operate in Alaska, the military uses the YMCA to provide functions normally provided by the USO.  This group of folks is comprised of civilian and military persons and businesses that look out for the soldiers.   We have been trying for a couple of years to get involved with the YMCA to lend our support to their causes.  Because our time is mostly booked already, we became a financial donor by sponsoring a “Red Table.”  Of course, there are many levels that you can contribute to from individuals, Gold Tables, to corporate sponsorship.  We were just proud to be among all the fine people involved with this organization.  The Sheraton Ball Room was packed with officials both local and from the lower 48.  Former Mayor George Weurch along with current Mayor Mark Begich, and numerous Alaska State Representatives and Senators were there.  Both Senators Lisa Murkowski and Ted Stevens were scheduled to speak, but were unable to due to legislative responsibilities.  General Peter Schoomaker, the Army’s Chief of Staff was in town from Washington, DC to be one of the speakers. 

Now that you know who was there, let me tell you who the really important guests were.  The program was designed to salute every member in the military stationed in Alaska who competed in the annual Enlisted and Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year competition.   Well over one hundred active duty military personnel from all five branches were there to be celebrated by the YMCA.  The competition is a yearlong process that required these young men and women to know every little detail of their service to the United States.  The competition starts at unit levels and progresses all the way up to the state level.  Each competitor has to go before numerous boards and demonstrate their knowledge and skill many times.  When before one of these boards, competitors may be asked question ranging from regulations to specifications on weapon systems.  They also may be asked to perform skills required in the military like map reading or first aid.  All this takes place while dressed in military dress uniforms and under a huge amount of pressure.  After each board, all but the winners are eliminated from the competition until there is only one solder, airman, sailor, or marine left.  In our opinion, these folks were the guests of honor.  We also had Marie Nash from Ted Stevens’ office, Felice Bennett from the Department of Alaska Educational Services, and AIC Brian and Laura Flanagan of the United States Air Force sitting at our table.  We bikers were all on our best behavior so these nice folks survived the evening.

            Our special table guest for the night was Kathy Rookus.  You will never see Kathy in the paper or on TV as a hero.  But to us, Kathy and the tens of thousands of other Americans who are sending packages, letters, e-mails, and phone calls to those serving over seas defending our country are the “Real” Heros.  Kathy runs a web site dedicated to getting stuff to the troops to aid in their comfort and moral.  She has sent items ranging from candy to socks, lots of socks to keep the troops happy.  She tapes countless hours of football games each Sunday and sent them over to be watched by those who could.  Kathy also coordinates with people all over the country to keep up with units as they deploy back and to pick up new recipients as new units deploy in Iraq and Afghanistan.  If you are interested in getting involved with this type of support for our troops over seas, you can contact her at kathy.rookus@nana.com.  She will help you get started.  

	Marie Nash from Ted Stevens' office,  Felice Bennett, Dept of Alaska Educational Services, and AIC Brian and Laura Flanagan USAF were  sitting at our table
Brigadier General  Richard Blunt,  Face,  State Representative Gretchen Guess  and  Marie Nash
	Face, Anchorage Chapter,  Viet Nam Vets Motorcycle Club of Alaska  and  General Peter J. Schoomaker,  Chief of Staff, United States Army
Kathy Rookus, Unstoppable, Face, Bulldog,  Anita Porter, Rain Check, Sean, and Betty

submitted by Scrounger
3/15/04

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