Also of note... 3 other chapters are sitting at the less than 20 member requirement to stay alive.

503rd/80th

Roanoke Valley

London Bridge

If you are in or around these areas, and can help, please make yourself known by site or sound.

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I know of a lot of ex-troopers arround here,but Bakersfield is a long drive from here.

LOAD CLEAR! LOAD CLEAR!

To avoid criticism do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.

Elbert Hubbard

Since nobody is holding it together, if you want to run point, you can definately work with the National HQ to take control and move it to your location. I dont think you'd have any static since they are not meeting or doing anything. This would be a great way to keep the chapter and introduce some new troopers in your area.

Be glad to help get you connected, but you'd have to jump on this pretty quick so you could get it done prior to August when I believe the board will move to shutter the chapter.

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Rigger82--I respect the hell out of you for how you handle yourself and what you do for the 82 nd. assc. I did not mean to shoot my mouth off and emply that there should be a chapter here.The truth is that we can,nt even support the VFW  or Amer. Legion posts up here.We had great posts posts until the WW11 guys died off.I and others of my generation don,t seem to step up and keep what were great posts going.Just why I am not sure.Most of the time I don,t want to be around people and many of the vets. here are the same way.We kind of wait around for a leader to step up and I am no longer that person.

Hey, I wasnt getting on your case ... and I completely understand how hard it is to try to run point when things arent going that direction.

You bring up a common theme about younger veterans and what I think has to be the source of discussion here and all over is 'WHAT would a veteran organization have to offer to be worthy of an hour or two a month of a young veterans time?' I would challenge my fellow working, family, busy veterans to answer why they dont feel they can go, and what would encourage or motivate them to not only attend but be proud to be a part of the organization.

Oh.. and I dont mean I want to hear the excuses, we all have them, whats the real reasoning.

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I mean... if you're airborne qualified and you're NOT in the association, it must mean that you cant afford to even pony up the $15 even if you dont go to the meetings which makes you a leg lovin low life. You EARNED the right to be in this association, it exists to support our community of paratroopers and for each trooper who DOESNT get on board and help support the organization, you rob it of funds, enthusiasm and spirit. How hard is it to skip 3 latte's at starbucks and get signed up for the year?

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