 (Picture from our 2011 Recovery Advocacy Event) Ms. Keri Kincaid, Eau Claire (WI) City Council President, is Recognized as our first ever Woman of the Year Award Recipient in 2015. Thuy Smith International Outreach recognize and thank her for outstanding leadership and genuine concern for all members of her community. We thank her for her contributions to TSIO's Recovery Advocacy. We are grateful for her humility , openness, and willingness to learn about and help empower people who have found or are seeking recovery from addictions. We also appreciate her contributions to our Vietnam Veterans' Day activities. We are fortunate to have such a woman of professionalism, class, and compassion serving our community. In 2004 Ms. Kincaid ran for an at-large seat on the City Council. She has served on the Council since then. She was elected Vice President twice: in 2007 and 2008. In 2009 and 2012 she was elected City Council President. Eau Claire City Council is the only city in Wisconsin that elects its Council President in a general election. Ms. Kincaid reading our local proclamation at our Recovery Event.
Lake Hallie Eagle's Club  2588 Hallie Rd, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 The Lake Hallie Eagle's Club has been a major sponsor of TSIO's Annual Vietnam Veterans' Day events since 2011. They were the top level sponsorship of Honorary Partner. They have been very generous from day one with the use of their facilities to hold a centralized neutral community location and beautiful hall for annual banquets and the last couple of years the Educational events and Ceremony.
The Eagles Club is a membership of individuals who get together to support various causes and give back to their community. We were one of many diverse causes they have supported. They have showed a genuine support and concern for Vietnam veterans' Day, Vietnam Veterans, and their families. Pauline Connor, former Manager, was a huge part in helping make this happen. Pauline has moved on to other ventures, but we will always remember her and her contributions as well. Please give both the Lake Hallie Eagle's Club your shout-outs of appreciation and also to Pauline Connor in the comment section below. (Comments will appear only after approval) We thank them them both for honoring all of us and what they do within our community. TSIO showed our appreciation with our final year of hosting and organizing Vietnam Veteran Day events in 2014 by presenting them a special recognition plaque in 2015. To learn more about the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, click here.  TSIO awarded Mike Haley with a special recognition for all his work and support of TSIO and his major contributions to our Vietnam Veterans' Day events and activities. Mike Haley is the County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO) for Chippewa Falls, WI. He participates and serves with various Veteran groups and activities. He served on TSIOs Advisory Board since 2009.
TSIO also interviewed Mike Haley on the Thuy Smith Show about Veteran benefits. (Video coming soon). CVSOs from Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, and Trempeleau County would present an informational table to share and discuss benefits available to Veterans at our annual Vietnam Veterans' Day events. A Q&A presentation was also completed each year during this time. Mike is a very down to earth caring person. He is professional and really knows his work. Thank you Mike for all that you've done for TSIO and the contributions to your community. In the "Vietnamese Tradition" we hereby make you our #1 CVSO.  John Myers is one of two recipients in 2015 for the Vietnam Veteran of the Year award. John is involved in many things in his community and the state of Wisconsin regarding all veterans. He has been a volunteer at the Highground Memorial, helped create a Veteran recognition at his place of employment, and also supported and assisted TSIO with our Vietnam Veterans' Day events. John and his wife also make a great team together. They have shared not only from the Veteran experience, but the family experience as well. John is so thoughtful. One year he on his own made a flowered vase for Thuy Smith and the Masters of Ceremony News Anchor Judy Clark. The last Vietnam Veteran event TSIO organized, John showed up on his own just to make sure he could be available to help out in some way. His timing that day couldn't have been any more perfect. He never sought out for an opportunity just to speak, but to be helpful in whatever way we needed help. This made it pleasant and a true joy to work with him. John also each year made a huge poster board for people to sign and always made a statement about remembering the Vietnamese and the Hmong. We love him for this!
Thank you John. In the "Vietnamese Tradition" we hereby acknowledge you as a #1 G.I.  Ron "Preacher" Clutter is one of two recipients for our 2015 Vietnam Veteran of the Year Award. Ron served with the 9th Infantry Division. He is involved in many things within his community and throughout Wisconsin. His involvement with Men of Messiah reaches out to Veterans and the Biker community. Ron does not simply preach to the people he works with, but is a genuine friend and meets people where there are at with the issues and problems they may be sorting through. Ron has also been a big part of TSIO's Vietnam Veterans' Day event and activities. He was our faith community liaison. One thing that really stood out to TSIO about Ron was his is willingness to listen and learn including about other experiences from the Vietnam War Era such as the Vietnamese and Hmong experience. He has truly been mindful in this regards. We love him for it. He and his wife are the dynamic duo and we appreciate all she does for others as well. In the "Vietnamese Tradition" We hereby recognize him as a #1 G.I.
 Presenting plaque to Rolling Thunder- Chapter 4 & Guy (Pepper) Hartl for their support of our organization and their sponsorship of the very first Vietnam Veteran's day celebration for WI- Eau Claire, WI (March 27, 2010). Thuy also thanks Pepper for his embracing the Amerasian community. Rolling Thunder-Chapter 4 meeting RT has been very supportive of us. We really love these guys. A great genuine group of people.   WEAU 13 NEWS was a major sponsor for the very first Vietnam Veteran's day event for WI.
Pictured: I presented a Sponsor Appreciation plaque to the whole team involved. L to R: Terry McHugh (General Manager), Judy Clark (News Anchor & our Master of Ceremonies), John LaPorte (News Director), and Andrew Felix (Creative Services & Promotion Manager) Also many thanks to them and all their reporters throughout the years and the late John Hoffland (former News Director) for all their coverage and support. A separate Award was also given to Judy Clark for her years of support and major contributions to our Vietnam Veterans' Day events and Vietnam War Symposium. We truly appreciate her commitment, professionalism, and generous heart and spirit. We call her our Number One News Anchor! Video footage coming Soon. Please Check Back. Volunteering at the 2014 Event, Awarded Volunteers of the Year Pictured L to R: Kris McMenamin, John Bensend, Thuy Smith, Dan Mataczynski, Luke Bensend, Tyler Fregine, and Ryan Leckel. (Not pictured Steve Macheksy).   The next generation of veterans giving back to those who came before them. What a powerful coming together! These veterans were with us for the very first official Vietnam Day Celebration for Wisconsin (2010). They have been with us ever since. I am so proud to introduce to you these Veterans from UW Stout. Having them be a part of us meant so much. You have honored both the veterans and their families. I as a proud daughter of a Vietnam Veteran also thank you. You are now a part of us. We are are proud of you as well. One of the things their group organized is a national roll call event. They read all the names of the more than 6,300 service members who died as a result of the current war effort. The Remembrance Roll Call was at Clock Tower Plaza, pausing at 1 p.m. for a national moment of silence. They invited Veterans, students, and community members to help them read the names. I urge everyone to support them and all the great things they are doing! Learn more about them and other clubs across the United States (here) Volunteers from previous Years Pictured from L to R: Jesse Richard, John Bensend, Clint Vincent, Dusty Kimber, Kristina Hodge, Front Row – Shauna Vojtasek, Thuy Smith, Ryan Peroutky
Last Pic- was from the fist event since the bill passed, Other pics were from events the following years. Please see letter I received from Veteran's Club President
Thuy, Thank you for letting us come and help you with Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Day this pas year. It was a great opportunity to give back to Veterans who have given and done so much. I am particularly thankful for what they have done for my generation of Veterans. When I took my first step off the plane state-side, there was a Vietnam veteran to shake my hand; that meant a great deal to me. Thank you for all you do and please let us know if we can help with any upcoming or future events.
We want to acknowledge and thank the Fahrman Center and Dick Williams (Program Manager) as the 2011 Advocate of the Year for all the years of support for Recovery Month and for being on board right from the beginning.
Primary Inpatient Treatment is designed for individuals who are in need of help arresting the disease process of addiction. It is 21 days in duration. Clients are involved in a variety of activities, including multiple groups each day, individual therapy, educational sessions, and specialty services. The focus is on the individual and their addictive process, with the goal of exploring a wide variety of means to achieve successful recovery. Their core philosophy is based upon a partnership with the individuals seeking recovery from addiction. We use the method or approach that meets each client's specific needs, and guarantee to do whatever it takes to enhance the avenues that will allow clients to find recovery, success, and contentment. The Fahrman Center is a 43 bed adult, co-ed residential treatment center that has been providing addictions treatment in west central Wisconsin for over 25 years. Dick Williams is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stout and hold a degree in Rehab & Counseling. H has been with the Fahrman Center for 17 years and manager for 10 years. Dick is also a licensed Clinical Substance Abuse & Nationally Certified Gambling Counselor. Other Special shout-out to all Fahman Center Staff, Lutheran Social Services Director for Addictions / Corrections- Laurie Lessard (ICS, CSAC), and Michelle Malec (Fahrman Center Program Assistant)  Gerald Lindquist
Gerald Linquist is the Advocate of the Year for 2010. Gerald graduated from Drug Court on June 23, 2009. Gerald continues to give back to his community because he says it helps him stay clean and sober. He has volunteered his time at a number of Recovery Events in the area and continues to volunteer his time on a regular basis with the St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice program in River Falls. Gerald shares his story hoping to change the lives of others who are stuck in the same pattern of addiction as he was prior to entering Drug Court. Gerald really stepped up to help promote the 2010 WWRA Recovery Celebration for Western Wisconsin and TSIO. He also volunteered his time to organize activities the day of the event and invested some of his own money for games that the children could also enjoy. He serves with sincerity and humility and is willing to do whatever is needed. TSIO has the utmost respect for Gerald not just for what he has accomplished, but most importantly who he truly is as a person. |
