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Minutes of 3 December 2024
General Meeting called to order at: 18:15 (6:15pm) by President David Orona
Pledge of Allegiance by: V.P. Donna Trecker
Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Chaplain Lonnie Rose
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 P 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: Corbin Luna, Jerry Knight
New members present: Luke Flowers – AVVA
Secretary’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Membership Update: VVA – 403, AVVA – 126
Old Business:
- Nancy Knapp briefly outlined the VASH holiday luncheon program for the vets. It will be held on 12 December and they expect +/- 24 vets. They asked for $25 gift certificates for the attendees. The luncheon will be hosted at the WECU Education Building, with help from the Elks Club, VFW and Legion. President called for a vote and the decision to provide $600 passed unanimously.
No business – but the Browns have retired from running the car show registration. Pres David thanked them and thanked Victoria Hartshoen to take on the responsibility.
New Business:
- Website discussion. We do not have price for the migration of the site to Isaac’s server. Will have contract for next meeting. Motion to proceed seconded and approved.
- Traveling wall discussion ensued. We were approached by a Texas company to host the wall this year. Bellingham have had the wall three times this far. Sam H explained why Barkley isn’t a good location. Ray said it cheapens the D.C. monument. Ocean Shores hosted a wall two years ago. Traveling walls allow folks that can’t get to D.C. Dan felt that money is better spent locally to help vets. This wall is coming to Spokane and Ellensburg this year. Vote was called – the decision was to not invite the wall.
- Doc presented the Whatcom County Cruising Association’s check for $500 to the VVA.
- Melanie Flink recounted that her father wanted to support the chapter. She wrote the check on the anniversary of his passing.
- Francisco Ivarra rose to thank us to submit a short article to the Veteran regarding the car show.
- Francisco Thanked Ande for service as State Vice President. Steve Pennington of Edmonds is new V.P.
- Pres Ivarra stressed the importance of the legacy of the VVA. What will history record re: VVA? National has allocated $1m to establish the legacy of the VVA. Francisco will serve on the committee.
- Gov. elect Ferguson will keep David Puente in his position of director of Department of Veterans’ Affairs for the state.
- VVA nationally has done a lot to get legislation passed for all veterans.
- He also gave recognition to the “donut dollies”. The VVA will pressure congress for honoring them.
Steve noted that this AVVA chapter is larger than many state organizations. He discussed the Code Talkers Museum in Arizona and encouraged everyone to visit it.
50/50 Raffle: none this month
Donations: $220
Good of the Order: VFW breakfast 29 December $10/adults $5/kids 8:00 to 10:00
Motion to Adjourn: at 18:45 (6:45pm)
Minutes of 5 November 2024
General Meeting called to order at: 18:20 (6:20pm) by President David Orona
Pledge of Allegiance by: V.P. Donna Treckers
Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Chaplain Lonnie Rose
Roll Call of officers: term expires
David Orona, Pres P 2025
Donna Treckers, VP P 2025
Tom Grinstad, Secretary / Treasurer P 2025
David Loomis, B of D P 2025
Lonnie Rose, B of D P 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 A 2025
AVVA Officer Roll Call: Present – Lelonni Muggy, Autumn
Guests: John & Tracy York, Devin & Ally Marquart, Lynn Ince
New members present: Steve Ince
Secretary’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Membership Update: VVA 408, AVVA 133
Old Business:
- Chuck Muggy delivered a ton of apples for VVA & VFW members.
AVVA has gained its non-profit status.
New Business:
- Tom Filion and John York finished another wheelchair ramp in Fairhaven. He promised to provide pictures of completed ramps.
- November 9th is the date of the poppy drive at the Fred Meyer Bakerview location. A VFW fund-raiser, please assist.
- 10 Nov is 249th birthday of the USMC, Hoorah
- 11 Nov is Veterans’ Day – find a celebration. Some restaurants and retail stores have discounts for veterans.
Nov 28th is Thanksgiving Day the VFW is closed.
50/50 Raffle: Vicki Hartshorn won $40
Donations:
Good of the Order: AARC of Bellingham has holiday dinner/dance 7 December held at Elks Lodge 710 Samish Way, Bellingham. No-host bar 5-6pm, dinner 6-7pm, music & dance 7-10pm. Cost $30/person, and $5 entry fee to Elks. Mail checks to AARC P.O. Box 503, Bellingham, WA 98227 or to Darlene Carlson 2845 Seaview Circle, Bellingham, WA 98225. Payment must be received by Friday, Nov 22nd . For more info call Darlene at 360 303 4190.
Ande Mitchelle summarized a simmering dispute with the state council.
Donation: $160
Motion to Adjourn: came at 18:45 (6:45pm)
Minutes of 1 October 2024
In what turned out to be one of the shortest general meetings in history:
The General Meeting was called to order at: 18:15 (6:15pm) by President David Orona
Pledge of Allegiance by: V.P. Donna Trecker
Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Lonnie Rose
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 P 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
AVVA Roll Call:
Pete Kremen, Pres. P 2025
Lelonni Muggy, V.P. P 2025
Summer Loomis, Secy. A 2025
In a deviation from normal, Doc Holliday invited members of the Gearheads Car Club to the front to present a check of $500 to the chapter. Dick Mills, Brad Colglazer, Bob Parten and Sam Houston were among the presenters.
Guests: the abovementioned Gearhead guys
New members present: Lamar McKay
Secretary’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Membership Update: VVA – 403, AVVA – 132
Old Business:
- Tom G noted the chapter paid for wheelchair batteries for a veteran referred from the Opportunity Council
- State VVA Council meeting is scheduled at Snoqualmie Summit 12 October at 10:00. Lonnie Rose will represent the chapter.
- The chapter will pay VFW Post 1585 $500 in lieu of rent for the meeting space. And pay for cleaning.
A press release was sent to the Veteran magazine for our contribution to the BTC scholarship endowment.
New Business:
- VFW 1585 Octoberfest information will come from John Ferdon. Keep your eyes peeled.
- Chuck Muggy will deliver a trailer full of Honeycrisp apples on 10 October, between 15:00 – 16:00 (3:00 – 4:00 pm). Bring your own bags or boxes to load.
- AVVA now has applied for non-profit status. The application fee was handled by Lelonni.
- Steve announced that veterans looking for work to apply for jobs funded by federal dollars for infrastructure work. Prevailing wage jobs with preference to vets.
50/50 Raffle: $30 to Shannon Loomis.
Donations: $625
Good of the Order: VFW 1585 breakfast 27 October, 8:00 – 10:00 cost $10 adults
Motion to Adjourn: at 18:30 – only 15 minutes long, way to go!!!
Minutes of 3 September 2024
General Meeting called to order at: 18:20 (6:20pm) by President David Orona
Pledge of Allegiance by: V.P. Donna Trecker Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Chaplain Lonnie Rose
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 P 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 A 2025
Roll call of officers AVVA:
Pete Kremen A 2025
Steve P 2025
Malcolm Oliver A 2025
Lelonni Muggy P 2025
Summer P 2025
Guests: Steve Peterson, Lamar McKay, Frank ,
New members present:
Secretary’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Membership Update: VVA-404, AVVA-132
Old Business:
- Doc Holliday gave a short report and thanks to volunteers to the car show of 21 July. Tom G gave totals for the expenses and income gained. 350 cars registered, 10 no-shows.
- New car show meeting will be in January 2025. Doc needs to know who will be available (volunteers) for the new show.
New Business:
- Gene Goldsmith gave a short history of the scholarship fund. He recounted the way that the chapter decided to endow the Bellingham Technical College. He then read a short thank-you letter from one of the recipients. Gene moved to take $20k from the savings account and add to the endowment. Seconded and approved. The endowment basis remains – the scholarships are funded from the interest on the total.
- Gene noted that this chapter needs to have delegates to the next national convention, occurring in New Orleans next summer. He moved that the chapter provide $ 4,500 to assist delegates to attend. Seconded and approved.
- Gene also made a pitch for drivers for the DAV van, which provides transport for veterans down to VA.
- Check your VA cards for expiration date. Gene noted that his card was near expiration. He got it renewed and he can go to the Navy Exchange. You can do it online. Steve got his in 12 days.
- Muggy moved to buy a case of toilet paper for the VFW. Seconded and approved.
- Board of Directors meeting synopsis by Tom G: Website masters are retiring and need to find some support. VASH bus passes have been funded to the amount of $1,500 so far this year, with likely one more $500 before year’s end.
- Steve had a meeting with state AVVA, CVOC in Mt. Vernon are to move and build their own building with an unrealistic date in 2025. He described the location, south of College Way and east of 18th street. He has CVOC info. He also described the fishing trip provided for gratis.
- Steve also noted that the port of Sumas and Lynden are expanding. Funded by the Infrastructure Act a couple of years ago. The project will provide jobs for a couple of years, with good wages. So, anyone with family or friends looking for work, Info meeting at Bellingham Library Wed. 4 Sept. or in Sumas on Thurs. 5 Sept. Jobs will be paid per diem at prevailing wage.
50/50 Raffle: Steve returned his winnings. $97 total, thanks Steve!
Donations: $187
Good of the Order: VFW garage sale 13-15 Sept. at the post.
Kenny Payne memorial pig roast is 28 Sept. 17:00 (5:00pm)
VFW breakfast 29 Sept 8:00 – 10:00
Motion to Adjourn: 19:00
Minutes of 2 July 2024
General Meeting called to order at: 17:58 (5:58pm) by President David Orona
Pledge of Allegiance by: V.P. Donna Trecker
Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Lonnie Rose
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 P 2025
Sam Houston, B of D P 2025
Charles Muggy, B of D P 2025
Duane Holliday, B of D A 2025
Dan Norvelle, B of D P 2025
Guests:
New members present: Donna Christian, Jerry Davis
Secretary’s report: Apologized for late posting on website, reminded all to get agenda items to Tom 5 days prior to meetings. Report was moved, 2nd & approved
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Membership Update: VVA – 403, AVVA – 131
Old Business:
- Ray Radke’s birthday party attended by nearly 100 people.
- State Council President’s remarks included
- National Leadership Conference August 20 – 24, in Reno, NV
National Convention will be held in New Orleans, LA August 5th – 9th 2025.
New Business:
- Celebration of life for Randy Turnbull will be held Sunday 7 July at noon. Location is American Legion Post 7, 1688 W. Bakerview Road
- There is a July 4th parade of cars in Lynden at 14:00, pre-parade staging at Bender Fields, 8770 Bender Road at 13:00.
- Armed Forces Appreciation Night at the Bellingham Bells game Civic Field July 12th 18:30. Seating behind home plate. Contact John Ferdon if planning to attend. 360 318 7521 johnferdon1@hotmail.com.
- Our car show at Barkley Village 21 July 10:00 – 15:00. We need volunteers for all manner of jobs.
- Ande Michelle announces the Welcome Home BBQ at 6254 Fruitdale Road, Sedro Wooley 3 August, from 11:00 – 15:00. For more info call him at 360 706 3265.
- Chapter 165 AVVA officers, Pete Kremen, Autumn Sundown and LeLonni Muggy were sworn in.
- Information only – the chapter will endow the VASH fund at the Whatcom Transit Authority $500 for veterans’ bus passes.
- AVVA gave appreciation plaques to Sam Houston and Doc Holliday for being instrumental in the car show effort over all the years.
- WA State Council President Francisco Ivarra sent info about a celebration of the first around-the-world airplane flight. Get the copy from David Orona.
- Pete Kremen offered his email address and phone number for items to be aired during the car show (recognition of supporters, etc.) phone: 360 734 3802. Text 360 739 1676
Email: pkremen@comcast.net
50/50 Raffle: won by ? – I didn’t see $43
Donations: $266
Good of the Order: Remember to donate your used printer cartridges to the chapter. Give to Dave Loomis.
VFW breakfast 28 July 8:00 – 10:00 cost is $10, $5 for kids under 12.
Motion to Adjourn: 18:29 Another short, efficient meeting