General Meeting called to order at: 18:23 (6:23pm) by Pres. David Orona

Pledge of Allegiance by: V.P. Mike Slocum

Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by:

Roll Call of officers:                                                           term expires

          David Orona, Pres                                     P                 2027

          Mike Slocum, VP                                      P                 2027

          Tom Grinstad, Secretary / Treasurer      P                 2027

          David Loomis, B of D                                P                 2027

          Lonnie Rose, B of D                                  P                 2027

          Sam Houston, B of D                                P                 2027

          Charles Muggy, B of D                             P                 2027

          Duane Holliday, B of D                             P                 2027          

Dan Norvelle, B of D                                A                 2027

Guests: Joan Van Easkin, Margaret McVay, Chuck Anderson, Bonnie Parten, Rowan Meadows

New members present:

Secretary’s report: Moved, 2^nd & approved

Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved

Membership Update: VVA 412, AVVA 143

Old Business:

1. Reminded membership that National Convention is August 6-9 in New Orleans. We have two more slots that can be partially funded. The opening is there – go.

2. Memorial Day Parade happens 24 May starting at noon. I encourage all to come and participate. You can walk a mile and wave at the crowds. But no candy throwing.

New Business:

1. The VVA Veterans Service Officer for the region, Rowan Meadows, talked to us about the assistance she can give to us regarding VA benefits. She has access to the VA data base and can mightily help in your claims. She passed out cards and a sheet of information with contacts for all manner of problem solutions. Her office is different than Liz Witowski’s (which is under the county). Rowan’s  contact info: cell 360 381 6393, vvameadows@gmail.com.
2. 17 May is Armed Forces Day, strut in your finest.
3. 26 May Whatcom Allied Veterans Council conducts the Avenue of Flags Ceremony at Greenacres Cemetery. The ceremony starts at noon. Lunch is provided by American Legion Post 7.
4. That same day May 26, we hold our Memorial Day Picnic at Hovander Park in Ferndale. The chapter provides the hot dogs, and hamburgers. Please bring a side dish or dessert. Rosemarie says to bring your happy face, and your family.
5. The next car show meeting is on 29 May at 15:00 (3:00pm). At the VFW in our normal meeting place in the basement.
6. Steve reiterated that the AVVA region 8 Director will be at the meeting to give the chapter its official charter which makes them a real AVVA chapter, with all the bells and whistles that entails. So show up to the meeting and give them your support……

Donations: meal $93.

Good of the Order: VFW Post 1585 breakfast is 25 May 8:00-10:00. Cost is $11/adults $5/kids

Motion to Adjourn: I failed to get the exact time and who made the motion. But we adjourned anyway.

General Meeting called to order at: 18:20 (6:20pm) by President David Orona

Pledge of Allegiance by: David Orona

Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Darlene Carlson

She also gave an update on Gene & Yvonne, due in town soon.

David Loomis will be admitted to Sons of the American Revolution.

Roll Call of officers:                                                           term expires

David Orona, Pres                                    P                 2025

          Donna Trecker, VP                                   P                 2025

          Tom Grinstad, Secretary / Treasurer      P                 2025

          David Loomis, B of D                                P                 2025

          Lonnie Rose, B of D                                  A                 2025

          Sam Houston, B of D                                P                 2025

          Charles Muggy, B of D                             P                 2025

          Duane Holliday, B of D                             P                 2025          

Dan Norvelle, B of D                                P                 2025

Guests: none

New members present: none

Secretary’s report: Moved, 2^nd & approved

Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved

Membership Update: VVA – 416, AVVA – 141

Old Business:

1. Doc gave a short update on the car show meeting. Next meeting is 17 April at the VFW 15:00

2. National convention in New Orleans 5-9 August, Lonnie Rose to represent the chapter.

New Business:

1. Newly elected officers and directors sworn in by Ray Radke: David Orona, President; Mike Slocum, V.P.; Tom Grinstad Secretary/Treasurer; David Loomis, Sam Houston, Charles Muggy, Duane Holliday and Dan Norvelle all Directors.
2. Moved, seconded and approved donation of $1,000 to POW-MIA Memorial at Greenacres Veterans’ Memorial.
3. Moved, seconded and approved a donation of $2,000 to the Memorial Day Parade. The parade occurs 24 May at noon to 14:00 (2:00)
4. Moved, second and approval of car show budget submitted ($7,600).
5. Car show meeting on 17 April at 15:00.
6. Steve announced that on 3 June the AVVA chapter will receive its charter from the Region 8 Director. The first chapter chartered in the state. This chapter holds 1/3 of membership of the region.

VFW hosts a dinner on Saturday 26 April at 15:30 (3:30 pm) to celebrate the visit of the VFW Auxiliary National President. Cost is $22/person. Registration and checks mailed to Cindy Mellema at 2845 Lyle St. Bellingham, WA 98225. Phone 360 296 6139.

50/50 Raffle: Won by Frank H., donated back to chapter $63, thanks, Frank.

Donations: $170 donated tonight

Good of the Order: VFW Post 1585 breakfast served 27 April 8:00 – 10:00. Cost is $11/adult, $5/kids under 12 years old.

Steve reminded members that Fort Ord, and Seaside CA are now presumptive for Agent Orange exposure. Take care of yourself.

Book auctioned off for $25 to Ray.

Motion to Adjourn:  18:43

General Meeting called to order at: 18:12 by Pres. David Orona

Pledge of Allegiance by: V.P. Donna Trecker

Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Ken Rood

Roll Call of officers:                                                           term expires

          David Orona, Pres                                    P                 2025

          Donna Trecker, VP                                   P                 2025

          Tom Grinstad, Secretary / Treasurer      P                 2025

          David Loomis, B of D                                P                 2025

          Lonnie Rose, B of D                                  A                 2025

          Sam Houston, B of D                                P                 2025

          Charles Muggy, B of D                             P                 2025

          Duane Holliday, B of D                             P                 2025

          Dan Norvelle, B of D                                P                 2025

Guests: David & Yvette Cassel, Bob & Bonnie Parker, John & Tracey York

New members present: Mark & Nancy West

Secretary’s report: Moved, 2^nd & approved

Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved

Membership Update: VVA – 415, AVVA – 139

Old Business:

1. National Convention – the chapter is allowed 3. Happening 5 – 9 August in New Orleans.
2. National Vietnam War Veterans Day 29 March. WA state 30 March.
3. State Council meeting is 19 April in Toppenish, Yakima Warriors Veterans Building.

Doc Holliday and Dave Loomis got certificates for Memorial Day Parade. Mark West got certificate for exceptional recruiting to the chapter. John York is recognized for construction of two more wheelchair ramps.

New Business:

1. A slate of officers and directors presented to membership and approved by acclimation. President – David Orona, V.P. – Mike Slocum, Secretary/Treasurer – Tom Grinstad, Membership chair – David Loomis. Directors: Lonnie Rose, Sam Houston, Charles Muggy, Doc Holliday Dan Norvelle, Donna Trecker
2. AVVA officers are in mid-term. Election will be next year.
3. VFW 1585 will have Soup Cook-Off. A fund raiser. Be there.
4. Car Show meeting 11 March at 15:00 (3:00 pm) at VFW basement
5. 13 March National K-9 Veterans’ Day
6. VFW 1585 annual Saint Patrick’s Day Dinner. I didn’t get the time.
7. Authorize $850 to VFW 1585 for increase in insurance.
8. State Council President Francisco Ivarra addressed the crowd.
9. A new chapter is forming in Bremerton, a sign of increasing membership state wide.
10. Nationally the VVA is:
11. Pressuring Congress to continue funding for POW/MIA searches. Approximately 1,170 still unaccounted for.
12. Urging Congress to continue toxic exposure research act.
13. Promoting blue water Navy exposure to past the 12-mile limit existing today.
14. Push for claim review within 48 hours of receipt.
15. Emphasize the problem of suicide prevention of veterans. Not only young persons’ problem. Vets 75+ have a 5% increase in suicides…
16. National has homeless program. The vets’ hospital in L.A. is unused – working to get changed for residences. Guesstimate of homeless vets is 100k – 150k…
17. VVA will push for a Congressional Medal of Freedom for the Donut Dollies who served in the Red Cross in Vietnam.

24 April is wreath laying at the call in the other Washington. Francisco will be there representing the real Washington.

Steve mentioned that hazardous exposure in Fort Ord and Seaside CA. Donations:  $145 collected this evening

Delayed for a week by the weather the General Meeting called to order at: +/- 18:10 (6:10pm) by President David Orona

Pledge of Allegiance by: V. P. Donna Trecker

Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Darlene Carlson

She then gave a quick update on the healing of Gene & Yvonne G.

Roll Call of officers:                                                           term expires

          David Orona, Pres                                    P                 2025

          Donna Trecker, VP                                   P                 2025

          Tom Grinstad, Secretary / Treasurer      P                 2025

          David Loomis, B of D                                P                 2025

          Lonnie Rose, B of D                                  A                 2025

          Sam Houston, B of D                                A                 2025

          Charles Muggy, B of D                             P                 2025

          Duane Holliday, B of D                             P                 2025

          Dan Norvelle, B of D                                A                 2025

AVVA          Pete Kremen, Pres                          A

                   Malcolm Oliver, V.P.                       A

                   Autumn Sundown                           P                   

Lelonni Muggy                                P

Guests: Gertie Juergens, Bonnie Parten

New members present: Corbin Luna AVVA

Secretary’s report: Moved, 2^nd & approved

Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved

Membership Update: VVA – 411, AVVA – 136

Old Business:

1. Alex Thompson recognition of assistance to member Larry Martin on New Year’s Day. Alex spent three hours shopping, adapting a motorized wheelchair and threshold work. Great work Alex!

2. March is election month. Consider who you want to run the asylum and nominate them next month.

New Business:

1. Darlene proposed to assist funding a bench for Peace Arch Park to the tune of $ 250. After discussion, passed unanimously.
2. David summarized the memo from State Council President Francisco. The important point is that voting delegates to the national convention must be submitted by 28 February. As the largest chapter in the state, we should send our share of delegates.

50/50 Raffle: $38 won by Mike Perkowski

Donations: $335. A big thank you to Tom B. for a generous check.

Good of the Order: VFW Breakfast 23 Feb 8:00 to 10:00. $10 adults

Motion to Adjourn:  occurred at 18:35 (6:35pm) with a missive to drive carefully. See you all next month – the first Tuesday 4 March 2025…

Today’s meeting is cancelled due to inclement weather. Keep checking back.