MAY-JUN 2015

Military Order of the Purple Heart
AARON A. WEAVER CHAPTER 776
CHAPTER PURPOSE
To preserve the proud legacy of the Purple Heart Medal.
VOL 12, ISSUE 3
2014-15 Officers
Cdr: Richard “Bud” Allen
Sr. Vice Cdr: Lee Helscel
Jr. Vice Cdr: Larry Tropf
Adjutant: Curt Ebitz
Finance Off: Joe McClister
Judge Adv: Carl Bertoch
Exec Cmteman: Ray Michael
Alt Cmteman: Richard Hunt
Sgt-at-Arms: Rick Allen
Trustee 3-yrs: Lee Helscel
Trustee 2-yrs: John Carlson
Trustee 1-yr: Joe McClister
Service Off: Joe McClister
Welfare Off: Mike Schlaudraff
Historian: Curt Ebitz
Chaplain: Ernie Tucker
Americanism Off: Robert
Pietras
Chapter Activities
Completed
March 11. Rick Allen, Fred
Daniels, Zig & Nancy Laska, and
Ray Michael represented Chapter
776 & Unit 776 at the Florida
National Cemetery quarterly memorial service for unattended
veterans.
March 14. Chapter 776 Patriots
& Ladies turned out in force to
support Barbara Bradshaw at the
memorial service honoring the
memory of Departed Patriot Ken
Bradshaw. In attendance were
Cdr. Bud Allen; Ed & Claudia
Daniels; Curt & Mari-Elain
Ebitz; Susan Gill; Sue Guard;
Mickey Hunt; Harold & Pat Layman; Nancy Laska; Madison
Messinger; Pat Michael; Shirley
Platt; Mike & Linda Schlaudraff;
Don Schroeder; Gail Smith;
Ernie & Liz Tucker; and Marie
Williams.
See Completed, page 2
www.citruspurpleheart.org
Bimonthly Meeting
The Chapter's biNext Meeting
monthly meetings
are held the third Tuesday, May 19, 1 p.m.
Tuesday of September, November, January, March, May Citrus County Builders
and July. The meeting locaAssociation, Lecanto
tion is at the Citrus County
Builders Association, 1196 S.
Lecanto Highway (C.R. 491), Lecanto, which is located on the
west side of S. Lecanto Highway approximately 1/2 mile south
of S.R. 44. Any chapter member desiring to place an item on
the meeting agenda should e-mail Adjutant Curt Ebitz at
info@citruspurpleheart.org or call 382-3847.
May-June 2015
Member News
Chapter
776
Patriots
are
extremely
pleased to welcome
Andy
Viola of Beverly Hills to their
ranks. Hailing from Uniondale,
Nassau County, NY, a suburb
of New York City, he is an
Army veteran of Vietnam and
the proud recipient of the Combat Infantryman Badge.
See Members, page 3
Chapter 776 Charter Member and Korean War
combat infantry veteran Kenneth L. Bradshaw, Jr.,
84, of Inverness, passed away peacefully March
5, 2015 under the care of HPH Hospice, Lecanto. Ken was born in Taunton, Massachusetts and raised in the neighboring community of Raynham.
Ken enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1948 and saw combat duty
during the Korean War with Company E, 1st Battalion, 19th
Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Ken’s “Fighting
Irish” spirit gave him the perseverance to survive seven months
of bitter fighting until he was seriously wounded on February 6,
1951. Following two months hospitalization in Japan and 15 months rehabilitation at Walter Reed,
he was medically retired in 1952. Returning to Raynham, Massachusetts, he worked at Haskon
General Electric until his retirement in 1983 with 29 years of service. In 1988, he and Barbara
relocated to their Inverness home.
Ken was most proud of being a recipient of the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman Badge,
as well as his cherished honor of being inducted as a warrior of the Ho-Chunk Nation, the tribe of
his battlefield comrade Corporal Mitchell Red Cloud. Ken was on Hill 123 with Corporal Red
Cloud when he earned the Medal of Honor posthumously while defending against a ferocious attack by Chinese infantry.
See Bradshaw, page 3
Annual Armed Forces Day Picnic
Chapter 776’s annual Armed Forces Day picnic will be 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 9
at the park pavilion (next to tennis courts), Bicentennial Park, Crystal River. The park is
located off of U.S. 19 behind the Crystal River Airport. The 2015-16 officers for the chapter and
the ladies auxiliary will be installed. All officers are strongly encouraged
to make every effort to attend. Also, a special scholarship will be presented to Kirsten Weaver, the sister of chapter namesake CWO Aaron A.
Weaver.
Chapter 776 will provide hamburgers and hotdogs with all the fixings plus
beverages. Each lady is asked to bring a side, salad or dessert. If you
plan to attend, please contact Adjutant Curt Ebitz no later than May 8 at
352-382-3847 or e-mail at info@citruspurpleheart.org and indicate side,
salad or dessert.
PAGE 2
CHA PTER PU RPO SE: TO P RESER VE TH E PRO UD L EG A CY O F THE P URPL E H EA RT MED A L
Completed
From the Commander
March 21. The Citrus County Jeepers and Nature Coast Jeepers
hosted 18 Chapter 776 members, spouses and guests to a BBQ
cookout and a morning of off-road adventure driving in the Withlachoochee State Forest. Participating were Cdr. Allen and Patriots
Ed Daniels, Lee Helscel, Richard Hunt, Zig Laska, Joe McClister,
Ray Michael and Larry Tropf.
Patriots,
April 14. Chapter 776 Cdr. Bud Allen and Patriot Richard Hunt
participated in the opening ceremony of the Citrus County School
Board meeting at the board’s invitation.
April 18-20. Chapter 776 & Unit 776 participated in the Citrus
County Builders Assn. 20th Annual Family Fishing Tournament.
The dedicated efforts of Sr. Vice Cdr. Lee Helscel were instrumental to the success of the chapter’s participation, which promises to net an estimated $2,500-$3,000 in proceeds for the chapter.
Special thanks are also extended to the great volunteer support
from chapter and unit members. Without their support and assistance, success would not have been assured: Cdr. Allen; Rick Allen; Ed & Claudia Daniels; Al & Linda Golfieri; Lee Helscel;
Richard & Mickey Hunt, Michael Jackson, Zig & Nancy Laska;
Joe McClister, Ray & Pat Michael, Shirley Platt; and Larry & Sory
Tropf.
Future
May 1, 6:00 p.m., Citrus HS AFROTC annual awards ceremony
(Patriot Michael).
May 1, 6:00 p.m., Hernando HS AFJROTC annual awards ceremony (Patriot Jackson)
May 6, 5:30 p.m., Dunnellon HS AFJROTC annual awards ceremony (Cdr. Allen).
VOL 12 , ISSUE 3
A lot of activities have taken place prior to our next meeting. Citrus
County Jeepers and Nature Coast Jeepers invited us for another ride
through the Withlacoochee Forest followed by a terrific cookout afterward. We had 18 attendees with spouses and kids and all had fun.
Many thanks to the Jeepers groups for inviting us!!
April 17, 18 & 19 was the CCBA annual fishing tournament. I appreciate all the help we received. There were 150 registered boats, second
only to last year. We had 15 members and ladies assisting on Friday
night, another 12 on Saturday and 8 on Sunday. Thanks to the
Michaels, Laskas, Hunts, Tropfs, Daniels, Golfieris, Schlaudraffs,
Jacksons, Bonnie Lee, Shirley Platt, Rick Allen, Lee Helscel, Joe
McClister and Bud.
The Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans event was May 1-3 with a
parade, vendor booths and, most importantly, the Vietnam Traveling
Wall. Thanks to John Stewart and Barbara Mills for all their efforts
and to all members of Chapter 776 who assisted and attended. More to
come on this event next newsletter.
May also marks the time of year when we do a lot of presentations to
our JROTC High School selectees. I appreciate all the Patriots who
take the time to attend these functions and present the awards to those
deserving young cadets. Your efforts do not go unnoticed!
The Armed Forces Day picnic will be May 9 at Bicentennial Park,
Crystal River. Our new slate of Chapter 776 and Unit 776 officers
will be installed.
The next big event is the State Convention in Jacksonville June 3-7,
where many of the local chapters come to see friends and take care of
business. That being said, we still want to win the 50/50 raffle so be
sure to buy your tickets soon, before the Convention!!
May 14, 6:00 p.m. Central HS NJROTC annual awards ceremony
(Patriot Rick Allen).
Sadly, your Commander and other chapter Patriots and Ladies attended the memorial service for Ken Bradshaw, a charter member of
our chapter. Ken was a Korean War vet and an all-around interesting
guy! We’ll miss you, buddy, but we know you’re with family and
friends in your new home! God’s speed Patriot!
May 14, 6:30 p.m. Presentation of Chapter 776 scholarship award
to Alexis S. Goddard, Lecanto HS (Patriot Michael).
The City of Crystal River will be designated a Purple Heart City in a
public ceremony at City Hall at 3:00 p.m. on May 15.
May 15, 3:00 p.m.. Ceremony designating Crystal River as a
“Purple Heart City,” Crystal River City Hall.
Welcome to our new members, we look forward to all joining us in
our endeavors as we strive to remain the top chapter in the Department
of Florida. We have a fantastic group and I personally look forward to
your participation and dedication to the chapter.
May 9, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Chapter 776 annual Armed Forces
Day picnic and installation of 2015-16 chapter and unit officers.
May 15, 6:30 p.m., Lecanto HS AJROTC annual awards ceremony (Patriot Michael).
Always moving forward,
CMDR “Bud”
May 16, 6:30 p.m. South Sumter HS NJROTC annual awards
Bradshaw continued
ceremony (Patriot Maruach).
In addition to being a faithful member of Chapter 776, Ken was active
May 19, 1:00 p.m. Chapter 776 bimonthly meeting Builders in local politics as a precinct committeeman and in veterans and civic
organizations. He was a life member of MOPH; past commander VFW
Assn., Lecanto
Post 4337, Inverness; life member DAV and Korean War Veterans AsJune 3-7. Department of Florida 70th Annual State Convention, sociation; a 32nd Degree Mason; and a Shriner.
Jacksonville.
A memorial service was held March 14 followed by a reception for family and friends. Inurnment will be late spring in Raynham , MA. Patriot
June 14, 7:00 p.m. Inverness annual Flag Day ceremony.
Bradshaw is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years and best friend,
Barbara Bradshaw, two sons, three daughters, two grandchildren, one
August 7, 9:00 a.m. Annual Purple Heart Anniversary Breakfast, great grandchild, a brother and numerous nephews and nieces.
hosted by W. Citrus Elks, Homosassa.
PAGE 3
CHA PTER PU RPO SE: TO P RESER VE TH E PRO UD L EG A CY O F THE P URPL E H EA RT MED A L
VOL 12 , ISSUE 3
Members
Congratulations to Cdr. Bud Allen on his very successful and productive third year as chapter commander and on being reelected chapter
commander for a fourth consecutive year. Thank you for your dedicated and selfless leadership that has not only continued the chapter’s
proud tradition of being the top Department of Florida chapter, but also has led it to new heights of achievement.
A big thank you is extended to outgoing Unit 776 President "Tee" Pasay. Under Tee’s leadership the past two years, the unit had very successful military card party fundraisers and increased its membership. Best wishes for continued success to incoming Unit 776 President
Shirley Platt and her 2015-16 officers.
Unit 776 Lady Barbara Bradshaw had some serious health issues manifest shortly after the death of her beloved husband Ken, in March.
Following lengthy hospitalization and rehabilitation, she is now home moving forward with her life. Please keep Barbara in your prayers.
It is reported with regret that one of the chapter’s newer members, Joe Lopez, is relocating with his wife Maria from Tierra Vista to Manassas, VA to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Chapter 776 Sgt-at-Arms Rick Allen is taking it easy as he waits to undergo surgery to remove a pulmonary embolism. Please keep Rick in
your prayers.
Welfare Officer Mike Schlaudraff was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. His prognosis is excellent with no surgery presently contemplated.
Gail Norman, wife of Patriot Roy Norman, is recovering from a fractured femur and torn rotator cuff. Our best wishes to her for a full recovery.
Snowbird Sue Guard, wife of Departed Patriot Don Guard, returned back home to Leesburg, IN on April 29.
The Citrus County Builders Association Annual Fishing
Tournament was on April 17, 18 and 19. It was a very
successful event, in part, thanks to all the Chapter 776 and
Unit 776 members who participated; the Michaels, Laskas,
Hunts, Tropfs, Daniels, Golfieris, Schlaudraffs, Jacksons,
Bonnie Lee, Shirley Platt, Rick Allen, Joe McClister and
Bud Allen.
From left; Ed Daniels checks out the displays, while Linda
Schlaudraff, Pat Michael and Shirley Platt have a conversation. Lee Helscel looks on in the background.
Photo by Sory Tropf.
Printing courtesy of Alexander Real Estate, 5569 W.
Gulf to Lake Hwy, Crystal River, FL 34429, 795-6633,
charlie@alexre.com
For the second time, the Citrus County Jeepers and Nature
Coast Jeepers invited Chapter 776 to ride with them through
the Withlacoochee Forest. The event ended with a tasty BBQ
and special cake. There were 18 attendees with spouses and
kids and all had fun.
Larry Tropf stands next to
the Jeep he rode in with
his wife, Sory. Ray Michael , another attendee is
in the background.
Photo by Sory Tropf
Annual 50/50 Drawing Reminder
The Dept. of Florida’s annual 50/50 drawing will be held June 7 at the state convention in Jacksonville. One need not be present to win.
Chapter members, auxiliary ladies and supporters are encouraged to make and/or solicit 50/50 ticket donations. Tickets are $1 for 1, $5 for
6, $10 for 12 and $20 for 25. If more tickets are needed, call Cdr. Allen at 352-270-8436. You may win a substantial cash prize while
helping our chapter, which receives 10% of each donation. Chapter 776 has been the Dept’s top 50/50 fundraiser for seven consecutive
years. Turn in your donations and tickets at the May 19 bimonthly meeting or mail to Adjutant Curt Ebitz at 89 Douglas St., Homosassa,
FL 34446 to arrive no later than May 22.