Minutes of the first virtual meeting 10 February 2021

The meeting was called to order by President Dave Loomis at 18:01 (6:01 pm)

Roll call taken Officers present: Dave Loomis, Ron Wilson, Tom Grinstad

Directors present: Duane Holliday

Invocation given by Chaplain Lonnie Rose

Guests Stan Inzer from Spokane

Treasurer’s Report Income statement January 2021 reviewed moved & seconded approved

Members Report Chapter has 311 members on the rolls. AVVA membership now 59.

Noted Passing We lost two members this past January. Mike Boice, director and Marine Corps League Liaison. Also, Charles Anway passed 28 January.

New Business: Slate of chapter officers and directors was presented. Slate was elected for year 2021-2022. Those elected were:

President Dave Loomis

Vice President Ron Wilson

Secretary / Treasurer Tom Grinstad

Director Randy Turnbull

Director James (Sam) Houston

Director Gene Goldsmith

Director Duane Holliday

Director George Douglas

State Delegates: David Loomis, Donald Martinson, Kenneth Richardson, Ronald Wilson, Frank Woicieckowski, Eugene goldsmith

Amended chapter bylaws were presented, reviewed and accepted with one change noting the committees as appointed, not standing.

State Council President Francisco Ivarra reported on latest developments from national. The next national conference will likely be virtual. Any and all resolutions to be considered at the conference must be submitted by 31 March 2021. Roughly 360,000 VVA members have suffered Covid infection. The Vietnam Veteran era recognition has been expanded to 1955 -1975. The national office is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The state council has been awarded a $20,000 VSO grant. The April council meeting may have to be conducted virtually. President Ivarra will appoint a nominating committee.

Chaplain Lonnie concluded with a prayer.

There being no further business a motion made to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 18:42

Although we are dealing with Covid 19 restrictions, the chapter received a $100 donation from the Gearheads Car Club. We received a request from VFW 1109 to help with postage to ship 25 troop boxes overseas. The chapter sent a check to the VFW.

We will not have a meeting in January,but call Dave Loomis if you or someone you know is in need. We do our best to help our fellow veterans – not only materially but also emotional or spiritual.

We hope to have a meeting in February to elect new officers and Board of Directors members. Any one interested in being an officer or director please call Dave Loomis at 360 715 1489.

VVA Chapter 165

Meeting called to Order at 1700 by President David Loomis

Opening Ceremonies Performed

56 VVA/AVVA Members Present, Socially Distancing/mask recommended

Roll Call of Officers:

President:  David Loomis Present.        

Vice President:  Ron Wilson Present

Sec/Treasure: Tom Grinstad Absent/excused   

Chaplain: Lonnie Rose Present

B of D: Ken Richardson Absent

B of D: Mike Boice Present

B of D: Randy Turnbull: Present

B of D: Gene Goldsmith Present

B of D: George Douglas Present

B of D Duane Holliday Present

Guests: Alex Ambros, Brewster Loomer spoke on their BTC Scholarships

Daniel Park Korean Veteran (Associate Vietnam Veteran member), shared on how he wants to join us in doing events.  Spoke on wanting to be recognized by the Vietnam Veterans of American.

New Members present: 2 AVVA Deanna VanBeek  VVA Dick Gasden

Treasurer’s Report: Copies left on tables, Balance Savings $26,036.06, checking $5,437.64 no questions

Membership update: VVA 308.. AVVA 55

Old Business: None

New Business: Gene Goldsmith spoke and read letters to the recipients of BTC VVA scholarship. Motion made by George Douglas, seconded by VP Ron Wilson To change the name of Scholarship Fund from Ron Hansen to “Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #165 Scholarship”. Passed unanimously- Gene Goldsmith will handle the change.

Motion made by Randy Turnbull to transfer $5,000 from the Savings to the BTC Scholarship funds. Seconded by Gary Pettigrew. Passed unanimously – Gene Goldsmith will handle Money to BTC

President Dave Loomis talked to us about moving the Memorial Day picnic to the day before – Memorial Day Sunday May 30th, so that everyone was not so stretched to do all events, and it would give everyone an opportunity to have a day to spend more time with each other.

Motion made by VP Ron Wilson to move picnic to the day before Memorial Day, Sunday May 30th. Seconded by Chaplain Lonnie Rose.  Passed unanimously

Ron Wilson spoke about the plan for a Memorial at Green Acres for Gold Star Mother’s.

Motion made by Ron Wilson to donate $2,500 towards this memorial at Green Acres for Gold Star Mother’s seconded by Gary Pettigrew. Passed unanimously.

Good of the Order: President Dave Loomis asks for members to step up for positions of officers for 2021. Randy Turnbull and President Dave Loomis will chair a committee to contact people on 2021 officers. President Dave Loomis asked Darleen to contact 1585 about a possible bottle auction. Mike Boise will find out about the Memorial Day parade. Lana Haddox shared info on caregiving. Ron Wilson is looking for names to be recognized. 50/50 Raffle: Randy Turnbill won, amount donated back to chapter.

Money collected for dinner, $114.

Closing Ceremonies performed

Motion to Adjourn: 6:30pm

Respectfully Submitted

Elizabeth Rose AVVA

Minutes of 4 August 2020

General Meeting called to order at: 17:00 by President Dave Loomis

Open ceremonies performed

Roll Call of officers:                                                           term expires

          David Loomis, Pres                                   P                 2020

          Ron Wilson, VP                                         P                 2020

          Tom Grinstad, Secretary / Treasurer      A                 2020

          Ken Richardson, B of D                            A                 2020

          Mike Boice, B of D                                    P                 2020

          Randy Turnbull, B of D                             P                 2020

          Gene Goldsmith, B of D                           A                 2020

          George Douglas, B of D                           P                 2021

          Duane Holliday, B of D                             P                 2021

Guests: None

New members present: None

Secretary’s report: None

Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved Consolidated report

Membership Update: Approximately 360 VVA, AVVA Signed up 5 new members at Aug. 1 picnic.

Old Business:     

          1.      VP Ron Wilson spoke about his work aiding veterans with building wheelchair ramps in the past few months

New Business:

          1.      President Dave Loomis spoke about the car show 2021. The date is set as 18 July, 2021. Car show committee will meet and work out details. Randy Turnbull received a donation from Bill Padette $150 for the car show. Randy also talked to the property manager for the site and arranged details. Doc Holliday gave updates on the flyers and signs for the car show.

          2.      Dave Loomis will contact Dale Boe about food concessions for next year, cooking, equipment, permits, etc.

          3.      About 6 members will be needed to step up and help with cooking. Contact Dave Loomis at 360 715 1489 to assist.

          4.      Doc H said that Facebook still has Modica as contact for the car show. Tom G will try to correct and have Doc as contact at 360 733 5119.

          5.     Joel Douglas will check and see what we can do to apply for military food truck to be donated to us. Then we will draft a letter of request. Pres. Dave will contact post 7 to see if they have a truck.

          6.     As soon as the Chapter can have a safe meeting, we will talk about the “last man standing” for our chapter and Vietnam Veterans to be presented at the next National Convention.

          AVVA member Malcolm Oliver lead the members in song, God Bless America.

          AVVA member Elizabeth Rose took notes of the meeting. Thank you Liz.

          50/50 Raffle Won by: Mike Boice $20.

Good of the Order:     Dave Loomis shared that Little Ceasar’s Pizza on Lakeway gave a discount of ½ price on dinner tonight. We gave them a certificate of appreciation.

          Members spoke about breakfast and lunch options for the car show.

Meal donations collected $ 79.00 Pizza cost 64.94.

          Closing ceremonies performed.

Motion to adjourn:  17:40

12 July 2020

Chapter members,

Here we are again with no meeting yet. But keep the faith, as soon as possible we will get together again.

The chapter was notified around June 30th that a Vietnam Veteran named patrick Hogan was in need of a wheelchair ramp. I contacted Ron Wilson our chapter vice-president and Ron agreed to do the project. Home Depot, VFW Chapter 9301 and our VVA Chapter 165 each donated $400.00. Work was completed on July 7, 2020 by Ron Wilson, his son Phillip and Lonnie Rose. They did a great job.

Also thanks to Lana Haddox, an AVVA member for checking on Agnes Kenny who had fallen and was in bad pain. Upon learning this Lana called 911. Agnes is now fine. Here family is helping out.

Gene Goldsmith and I selected three candidates for the scholarship this year, at the request of Valerie Frand Bellingham Technical College program specialist. Each will receive $1000,00.

On July 10, 2020 I received a telephone call from Vietnam veteran Tony Torohoff and his wife Louise who want to donate a brand new propane stove to any veteran in need. If you are interested, call me.

Our gratitude and appreciation goes out to Richard and Pan Wilson for all their work they did in the service of our veterans. Thank you from all of us.

Keep safe, take care, keep in touch. Remember I am here (360) 715-1489 whenever you need help.

David W. Loomis

VVA Chapter 165 President