Historian Lana Haddox gave a short talk about the length of our involvement in Vietnam and what it meant for those who served.

The meeting was called to order at 18:28 (6:28 p.m.) by President Dave Loomis

Pledge of Allegiance recited by the membership.

Invocation given by Chaplain Lonnie Rose, followed by a moment of silence for POW/MIA.

Guests:            Ann Brooks, Estrella Hurier, Benita Lipayon and Marcia Moon all of the VVAW(?), Virginia (whose last name I failed to catch),  Darlene Carlson (DAR), Judy Johnson (Festival of Flags), Bob Garrison and Ande Mitchelle of chapter 1109 (Sedro-Wooley) as well as state council head Francisco Ivarra attended.

Secretary’s report:    Moved to accept by Ken R., 2^nd by somone, approved

Treasurer’s report:    Abbreviated yearly income statement reported, balance sheet and income statement for February motion to approved by Ray R. 2^nd by Randy E, passed

Old Business:  1. Car show update by Tom M, Randy T and Sam H.  We hope for good weather and possibly 400 + vehicles. Committee is trying to nail down another food vendor, working with the county health department. Discussion about new category – Low Rider…

2. You can still purchase a brick for the Vietnam Memorial from Gene G. or Dave L.
3. The rescheduled Bottle Auction occurs April 13^th at VFW 1585. Dinner by the auxiliary at 18:00, auction at 19:00. (Learn your 24-hour clocks).
4. Jim and Marjorie Rickenbacker donated $2,400.00 to the chapter in February. A grateful and gracious letter of thanks will be sent.
5. Lonnie R reminded all that the Vietnam Veteran’s Day is 29 March. The Lynden Museum will honor veterans and families from 10:00 to 16:00. A Light lunch will be served around 13:00 (no charge). Address is 217 Front Street Lynden. For more information contact Lonnie R at 360 220 5676.

New Business:

1. Mac McMaster announced the Veteran’s Day Parade 25 May, beginning at noon in Bellingham. The chapter has only a couple of months to figure out who will walk…is it you?
2. Ande Mitchelle invited all to a Vietnam Vets Welcome Home picnic on 3 August 11:00 to 15:00 flyers and cards were handed out.
3. Francisco Ivarra talked about several things.
4. One being the work of the national.
5. Secondly, the direction of the national organization; financial and future. The membership is aging and in perhaps 10 – 20 years it may disband (last man standing).
6. The national conference is in Spokane this year, July 15 – 21. The state has several responsibilities as host state: supplying flags, colors, marshals etc. It’s proposed that the five marshals come one per chapter. The colors will be supplied by Fairchild AFB.
7. State council meeting is 20 April in Toppenish.
8. On 25 May at the Museum of Flight in Seattle a reconditioned B-52 will be dedicated to veterans of Vietnam.
9. If any individual, group or chapter is worthy of recognition, nominate them for a Washington State VVA Certificate of Recognition.
10. Tom M. noted that Melvin Brewing on Meridian shares proceeds from sales of their special tap (?) every Sunday. This Sunday 10 March our chapter will be the recipient.
11. John Moles briefly discussed the Festival of Flags this year which coincides with the dedication of the Vietnam War Memorial on May 27^th. They try to arrange a fly over or chopper landing or some such. This year the Vietnam Veterans will march behind the pipe band. There will be over 1,900 flags on display, every one of which covered one coffin. If you want to help, set up starts at 8:00 (breakfast by the American Legion). Take down happens on Sunday about 16:00. There is more opportunity to help on the take-down shift.

Ken R moved that our chapter combine our picnic with the Festival of Flags this year, to ease the problem of being in two places at once. 2^nd by someone,passed.

6. Ken R. moved to fund VFW 1585 $500.00 in lieu of rent. 2^nd by Ray R., passed.
7. Motion to fund Jim Pace $500 to attend the national convention by Ken R 2^nd by again someone I failed to identify, passed
8. Lana H. suggested that any person who gets his/her name in the paper pay a fine. No decision.
9. Elected officers sworn in by Francisco Ivarra.

Good of the Order:

VFW 9301 serves breakfast on 16 March 8:00 to 11:00.

VFW 1585 will have breakfast on 31 March 8:00 to 10:00.

50/50 raffle won by Ken R. donated back to chapter total $95.

Meal collection total $211.

Motion to adjourn at 19:29

General Meeting called to order at: 18:45

Pledge of Allegiance by: Dave Loomis

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

Roll Call of officers:                                                           term expires

David Loomis, Pres                                   P                 2019

Ron Wilson, VP                                          P                 2019

Tom Grinstad, Secretary / Treasurer       P                 2019

Kirk Lyon, B of D                                       P                 2019

Doug Spangler, B of D                     A                 2019

Randy Turnbull, B of D                    P                 2020

Richard Martinez, B of D                           P                 2020

George Douglas, B of D                            P                 2021

Tom Modica, B of D                                  P                 2021

Guests: Rosie Loomis, Fred Hoffer, Dorothy Rood and Malcolm Oliver

New members present:   Edger Deschaux, William Hurier, Kim Fletcher, Ian Moore, Billy Wise and A.V.V.A,  members are Lana Haddox and Rosemarie  Loomis

Secretary’s report: Short and sweet as usual. No one read the minutes on line. Moved seconded and passed as written (but unread).

Treasurer’s report:      Motion to approve by Ed S, 2^nd by Ken R, passed

Membership Update: Pres. Dave enlisted a few more. The chapter now has 281 members and 9 AVVA. Several were recruited at the meeting and with luck be full-fledged members or associates by next meeting.

Old Business:     

1. Richard Brummett read a letter of apology into the record for the Dragoon Scholarship fund which he found out was filling the pockets of a local bureaucrat.
2. Tom Modica presented a budget for the car show in July. After discussion about  need for more porta-potties, Health Dept. certificate and possible problems with selling compact discs, the budget was approved
3. The Whatcom Allied Veteran’s Council will install the Vietnam Memorial this Memorial Day at Green Acres. Memorial bricks can be purchase from Gene G. They will be installed by Veteran’s Day this year.

New Business:

9. New business, after the fact, Pres. Loomis got four volunteers from the C.G. and Ben Brown to move veteran Michael Harrington 16 Jan. 2019. The coast Guards personnel were: PO3 Alexander Harpe, FN Keith Carlson, FN Jordan-EmenySmith and SN Jacob Lieghton.
10. Liz Harmon contacted Pres. Dave to help out the U.S.C.G. folks with gift cards from Fred Meyer during the government shutdown. (25) $20 gift cards were bought and presented on 24 Jan. 2019.
11. This chapter’s Bottle Auction will occur on 23 Feb. 2019 at the VFW Dinner by the VFW Auxiliary is at 18:00 (6:00 pm). Prepare your bottles. We should expect at least 40 folks to attend. The dinner is an auxiliary fund raiser, the bottle auction, a chapter fund raiser. Please RSVP to the post
12. Randy Turnbull appointed as liaison with the Marine Corps League, (for the Memorial Day parade).
13. Elections were held. Motion to retain existing slate of officers, 2^nd no real discussion, approved unanimously. The two Board of Director slots that came open were extended for another year.
14. The chapter has Directors on a rotating schedule with two elected every year. We now will have four slots coming open next year. Is this what the membership wants? The alternative is the election of every board member every year…
15. Lana Haddox is appointed as Chapter Historian.

Good of the Order:

VFW 9301 breakfast on 16 Feb 2019, 8:00 am to 11:00 am.

VFW 1585 breakfast on 24 Feb 2019, 8:00 am to 10:00 am.

Don’t forget the Bottle Auction 23 Feb 2019 5:30 to ??

The proceeds from the meal came to $185.

The 50/50 raffle was donated back to the chapter for $72.

Motion to adjourn: came at 19:40. Dismissed

Since the first tuesday of January was also the first day of the New Year, and everyone watches football, there was no meeting. In lieu of the meeting minutes here are a couple of “thank yous” we received recently.

“Thank you to the members of Chapter #165 for their generous gift to help with expenses fro care as I battle cancer. It is both heartwarming and encouraging to experience the bond of Vietnam Veterans helping one another. Your gift has allowed us to have Visiting Angels come to the house and assist me with personal needs.

Thank you again.

Yours in Christ

Semper Fi

Alan and Janet Stanchi”

And from Nancy F. Letteri, Executive Director, Children of Vietnam comes this note:

“Sending you and all of the VVA 165 Members wishes for a happy and healthy New Year. During this time of new beginnings and looking to the future, I want to thank you for your on-going support of children in Vietnam whose families have limited resources to support their children’s education. Your gifts do make a difference to lighten the financial burden and encourage pursuit of good grades. Education creates most certainly multiple paths out of poverty for these children.

Attached please find a group photo of VVA 165 sponsored children and a group photo of all of the children.  These photos were taken when I visited the children this past fall. I return to Danang in March and I am hoping my schedule will allow another visit. It is always great fun to see how each child grows.” Editor’s note only “our ” kids photo is shown.

Social Meeting 4 December 2018

The formal meeting was called to order at 18:30 (6:30pm)

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President David Loomis

The Invocation and moment of silence fro POW/MIA was given by Lonnie Rose

Gene G gave a short spiel for the Vietnam War Memorial and memorial bricks.

In new business Tom G moved that the chapter support member Alan Stanchi, who is battling cancer and having some problem in keeping ahead of medical bills, by donating $1000.00 to him. Seconded by Ken R. motion carried unanimously.

Jim P read a letter by Prexy Dave in support of Young Soo Kim and the Korean soldiers who fought alongside U.S. forces in Vietnam.

The formal meeting ended at 18:44 (6:44 pm) or thereabouts.

Everyone piled into a line for salad and the dinner began. Wojo, Gene and Frank, along with able kitchen help put on a feast. I believe the entrée was Baron of Beef and Baron of Ham (?). Or should that be Earl of Ham. Great mashed potatoes, vegetables gravy and atsa hot horseradish accompanied. I spoke to no one who was disappointed. The kitchen crew received deserved accolades.

This Spousal (?) Dinner is greatly anticipated. It is a true highlight of the Chapter’s year. Well done by all who put it on. For those of you who were not there – you missed a good time.

Don’t forget breakfast is served at VFW Post 9301 15 Dec. 8:00 – 11:00

And at Legion Post 7 16 Dec 9:00 – 11:00

The 50/50 raffle netted $67.00

Minutes of 6 November 2018

General Meeting called to order at: 18:45

Pledge of Allegiance by: Dave Loomis

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

Roll Call of officers:                                                           term expires

David Loomis, Pres                                      P                 2019

Ron Wilson, VP                                             P                 2019

Tom Grinstad, Secretary / Treasurer       P                 2019

Kirk Lyon, B of D                                          P                 2019

Doug Spangler, B of D                                 P                 2019

Randy Turnbull, B of D                               P                 2020

Richard Martinez, B of D                            P                 2020

George Douglas, B of D                               P                 2021

Tom Modica, B of D                                    P                 2021

Guests: Elizabeth-Harmon Craig,   Rosie Loomis, Don & Benita Lipayon, Agnes Kenney, Dee Stahl, Yvonne Goldsmith, Billy & Becky Wise and Malcolm Oliver

New members present: Rob Bloch

Secretary’s report: Short and sweet as usual. Did not get a chance to mention the thank-you letter from Children of Vietnam. Moved, seconded and approved.

Treasurer’s report:      Motion to approve by Gene G, 2^nd by Ken R, passed

Membership Update: Pres. Dave enlisted three lapsed members – Rick Lett, James Jones and David Stamps. He brought in two new members Rob Bloch and Ivan Moore.

Old Business:     

1. Gene G spoke about the fund-raising for the Vietnam Memorial, contact him for information to buy bricks.
2. The big dinner for spouses is coming on Dec. 4^th. Social hour at 5:30, dinner at 18:30 (6:30). Donations at the door. Wojo is promising top sirloin, mashed potatoes, veggies, salad and dessert.
3. Tom M and Doc H spoke for a few minutes about the car show and how we need all hands on deck.
4. Pres. Dave gave a short report on the state council meeting at Snoqualmie Pass on 13 Oct.
5. Liz Harmon-Craig gave an overview of the county veteran’s office. She is now an accredited Veteran’s Service Officer, so she can get claims processed faster etc. Liz talked about financial and pension assistance, burial assistance for low income veterans, VA health care enrollment and other topics.
6. Kirk L reported on the thank you letter from BTC for our donation.

New Business:

1. Mac M spoke about the Marine Corps birthday celebrations happening 10 November. One at Boundary Bay Brewery at 18:00, the other at the VFW.
2. Liz talked again about a program to get presents for kids of service persons on a limited budget this holiday season. This is a program by the Combat Veterans International.
3. The DAV is taking donations at three of the Haggen stores on 11 Nov. Contact Gene G if you are able to assist.
4. Circle K Ranch has breakfast on the last Friday of each month from 9 – 11 am. It was unclear if you eat in the barn with the horses or not. The address is 5659 Lawrence Road (Nugents Corner). Registration required. Email nwheartunitedefs@gmail.com or RSVP on line.
5. Lonnie R discussed the break-in and robbery at VFW Post 9301. Loss and damage is estimated at between $2,000 and 2,500. Doc H moved to donate $500 to the post. 2^nd by I forget. Approved
6. Ken R moved that the chapter support VFW Post 1585 in the amount of $1,000 to help with the cost of the accessible ramp installed this fall. 2^nd by Gene G, approved.
7. Sam H brought up the concern of attendance at Memorial Day activities at Greenacres and then travelling to Hovander. After some discussion, it was decided that folks can leave Greenacres early to make it to the festivities at Hovander.

Good of the Order:

John F did his book report on From Enemy to Partners, which discusses the lingering problems associated with dioxin and agent orange which affect not only those who fought there, but hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese. He encouraged all (who can read) to pick up this book. It is important.

The proceeds from the meal came to $219.

John R won the 50/50 raffle for $35.

Motion to adjourn: came at 19:40. Dismissed