VVA Chapter 154

10/12/2026

MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) recently announced four burial updates for service members who have been missing and unaccounted for from World War II.

Updates:
-- World War II Army Staff Sgt. Charles H. Knecht, Pennsylvania
-- World War II Army Maj. Harry C. Hoffmeyer, Missouri
-- World War II Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Given C. Grooms, Ohio
-- World War II Army Pvt. Duane W. Payne, Minnesota

My NOTE: The remain of Knecht, Hoffmeyer, and Payne were buried as "Unknowns" in American overseas battle cemeteries after the war. Between 2022 and 2025 their remains were disinterred and transferred to the DPAA for analysis, leading to identification. The remains of Groom were recovered from a crash site near the town of Grado on Morgo Isle off the coast of Italy. Click through each link for the full announcements.

Please consider sharing this information with others who may have an interest in the subject matter.

Never give up,
Marty

(Ms.) Marty Eddy
Michigan Coordinator for the National League of American Prisoners & Missing in Southeast Asia (aka National League of POW/MIA Families)
~and~ Secretary/Treasurer, POW Committee of Michigan
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 248-214-6398

10/12/2026

There will be a chapter meeting Wednesday October 14, 2026, at VFW Bruce Post 1146 starting at 3pm. Hope to see you there. Thank-You GARY PURCELL

10/11/2026

announcement from the Hoover Institution Library and Archives at Stanford University about a newly acquired collection of Vietnam War POW/MIA material. Hoover has received the papers of Andrea Rander, a founding member of the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia (also known as the National League of POW/MIA Families). There were very few African American POWs and MIAs, so Mrs. Rander was among a small minority of African American POW/MIA wives. She was the only black woman among the POW/MIA family members on the Ross Perot sponsored family member delegation flown to Paris in December 1969 to try and meet with the North Vietnamese representatives to the Paris peace talks. The son of one of our Michigan MIAs was on that flight with his mother and two siblings. He remembers Andrea Rander as a kind woman traveling with her two young daughters. Mrs. Rander's husband, U.S. Army SFC Donald Rander, was captured in Hue during the 1968 Tet Offensive; he was among the POWs released during Operation Homecoming in 1973.
Andrea Rander is one of the wives in the photo on the cover of Heath Hardage Lee's 2019 book, The League of Wives: The Untold Story of the Women Who Took on the U.S. Government to Bring Their Husbands Home. I have it in my Vietnam War book collection and remember meeting the author at a League annual meeting.

Landmark POW-MIA Vietnam Era Collection Acquired by Hoover | Hoover Institution
In August 2026, Andrea Rander was recognized as Red Cross volunteer of the quarter at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda MD, where she has volunteered for 16 years. Here is a link to a Red Cross writeup about her: A Voice for Volunteer Service | News | American Red Cross
Please consider sharing this information with others who may be interested in the subject matter.
Never give up,
Marty
(Ms.) Marty Eddy
Michigan Coordinator for the National League of American Prisoners & Missing in Southeast Asia (aka National League of POW/MIA Families)
~and~ Secretary/Treasurer, POW Committee of Michigan
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 248-214-6398

10/11/2026

Once again, this year the Honor Guard will conduct the Liquor Raffle. We ask that anyone who is able to donate for our baskets or empty baskets also, to please bring them to the vet center during normal hours. We appreciate the generosity of all who help make this event a great success. Donation letters and receipts are available at the vet center.
Thank you in advance.
Mike Schneider Honor Guard Commander
Michigan Vietnam Veterans Traveling Memorial Chairman
VVA Chapter 154 Secretary Honor Guard Cell 586-709-7502 My Cell 586-567-0731

10/07/2026

The Meijer store on 40445 Groesbeck and Cass is making a substantial donation to our Chapter on Friday October 9th,2026 at 9am at there store. I need chapter members to show up and accept the donation on behalf of our chapter. There store manager is retiring, and Friday is his last day. He has been a big supporter of our chapter, and this is what he wanted to do before he retired. Hope to see you there. Thank-You GARY PURCELL

10/05/2026

From: Gary Purcell
[email protected]
If you can help our brother John and his wife, please read all the info below. Thank-You Gary Sinise Foundation


Good evening,
Below is a link to the GoFundMe account for my wife, Lois, a registered nurse, and me. We are in a tight position. Here are the details: Lois lost her job as a remote triage hospice nurse several months ago. Her former employer has been firing older, more experienced nurses to hire younger, less expensive nurses. Right now, we are doing our best to keep our house. Even though she was fired, her employer blocked her from getting unemployment benefits. She also applied for Social Security, and the administration sent us a letter saying she owes $13,000 in overpaid benefits and will cut her monthly payment by 50% until the “overpaid funds” are paid off. The problem is she was on Social Security disability 12 years ago because of breast cancer. The Social Security overpayment occurred 4 years after she went off Social Security disability. We are, of course, appealing both the Social Security Administration and unemployment agencies. The problem is this will take months. So much for the safety net we all paid for during our employment.

Lois is looking for remote employment in a registered nursing role (e.g., medical chart reviewers, medical chart audits, legal nurse consultant (she is certified), etc.).

I would appreciate it if you could pass this information to members of chapter 154, of which I am a member. Please contact me if you need additional information. You can reach me by email at [email protected].

GoFundMe account link: https://gofund.me/c505224d6

Respectfully,John

Dear Friends, Family, and Community, Asking for help is something neither of us … John White needs your support for Help a Veteran & Nurse Save Their Home

10/05/2026

10/03/2026

The chapter hospital committee will be visiting MVH Chesterfield Monday October 5 meeting there at 10 am.Hope to see you there. Thank-You Gary Purcell

10/03/2026

The Vietnamese Gratitude Organization will be delivering their annual donation to VVA Chapter 154 on Sunday October 4th,2026 at 7:30 am. Please feel free to come out and express our appreciation for their generous donation. Thank-You
Keith Edwards, USAF Retired
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154
Board of Directors, Pantry Director, POW/MIA Vigil Chair
[email protected]
586-243-0585

10/03/2026

The October Chapter newsletter has been posted to VVA Chapter 154 website www.vva154.com for your reading and viewing pleasure.Thank-You Gary Purcell

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 is dedicated to serving those who served our country. We provide essential support services, advocacy, and community to veterans and their families. Through compassion and commitment, we ensure no veteran is left behind. We have been serving veterans and their...