Called to order at 18:50 (6:50 pm) by President-elect David Loomis

The invocation and moment of silence given by Lonnie Rose

New officers sworn in by retiring President Gene Goldsmith

President David Loomis

Vice President Ron Wilson

Secretary / Treasurer Tom Grinstad

Guests: Rosemarie Loomis, Benity Lipayon, Maggie Ruigg, Agnes Kenny, Nancy Blackketter, Lana Haddox, Dorothy Rood, and Pam Kingston.

Potential new member: Doug Kingston, Richard Williams (who declined, but donated $100).

Secretary’s report approval move by Gene G, 2^nd by Ken R, approved

Treasurer’s report – fiscal year-end moved by Ron W, 2^nd  ?, approved

Membership report – 274 members on the roll.

Old Business:

1. Combine secretary & treasurer’s offices, the by-laws allow this outright.
2. Richard Wilson will continue as service officer.
3. Ron Wilson gave update on wheelchair ramp for Daniel Kiermaier. Much of the material is marshaled (much donated – lumber from Brooks lumber, etc). the actual construction schedule will depend on the weather. Sign up with Ron if you’d be willing to help.
4. The bottle auction brought in $1,576. A fine effort. A significant portion of the receipts were due to Kirk Lyon’s woodworking efforts – approximately 1/3. Thanx to all who made this a success: the VFW auxiliary (President Cindy Mellema), auctioneer Bill Bowen and Vanna White stand-in Ken Richardson. Tom Modica recorded the sales.

New Business:

1. Motion by Gene G to take the $3,000 anonymous donation, combine with $1,200 from Rickenbacher donation as a “down payment”to the Whatcom Allied Veterans Council for the 2019 Vietnam Memorial at Greenacres. 2^nd by Richard M, motion carried.
2. Motion by Ken R to use $1,200 from Rickenbacher, combine with bottle auction proceeds of 1,576 and $227 from savings to total a $3,000 donation to the BTC scholarship fund. 2^nd by Ron W, motion carried.
3. Motion to appropriate $1,000 for Memorial Day picnic & celebration by Doc Holliday. 2^nd by ? approved. Kirk L will chair, Richard M, Ron W, Dale B will step up to cook. The guest speaker will be astronaut Wendy Lawrence.
4. A lively discussion regarding the Car Show budget ensued. Tom Modica submitted a revised budget of $6,525. Randy T moved this be adopted, 2^nd by Doc H. This is the big money-making event for the Chapter. We look for participation by meny of the membership.
5. Randy T showed pictures of wood cut and stacked for sale by husband (?) of a member of Legion Post #7.

Good of the Order:

1. DAV sorely needs volunteer drivers for the van. Talk to Gene G.
2. VFW breakfasts #9301 on 3^rd Saturday and #1585 on last Sunday of each month.
3. March 17, 2018 VFW Post 1585 holds a St. Patrick’s Day corned beef dinner as a fundraiser for the basement ramp.
4. Memorial brick orders must be in to Gene G by the 15^th of this month.
5. March 29 is the Vietnam Veterans’ recognition day. You should have received a notice in e-mail about Rep. Del Bene’s meeting concerning the recognition day.

A motion made to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 (19:45)

The Ron Davenport Memorial Chapter 165 held its 10th annual Bottle Auction on February 23,2018. The dinner and auction were attended by about 60  people who brought wrapped bottles to donate to the auction. All donated bottles were wrapped to hide their contents, and as such, a bottle could contain something very good, or something rather silly and unexpected. Also donated was an artist quality, handmade, exotic wood cutting board and two bowls by Kirk Lyon. Bill Bowen acted as auctioneer and Ken Richardson posed as Vanna White, his assistant. Tom Modica recorded the sales. Prior to the auction everyone enjoyed a lovely shrimp dinner organized by Cindy Mellema and hosted by the VFW 1585 Auxiliary. Many thanks to Vilale Co for donating the shrimp for the dinner. after the delicious meal, everyone was looking forward to bidding on the auction items. The auction raised $1,573 and all proceeds went to Chapter 165 selected charities.

Before we get to the official minutes, just a word of thanks to Frank Wojciechowski  and insert name here who put together a fine feast of corned beef and cabbage. I guess it was an early St. Patty’s Day dinner as Wojo will be gone for the next couple of meetings.

General Meeting called to order at: 18:40 (6:40 pm for those of you who forgot how to tell time in the military) by V.P. David Loomis

Pledge of Allegiance by: David Loomis

Invocation and Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Ron Wilson

Roll Call of officers:                                                                    term expires

Gene Goldsmith, Pres                                        Excused      2018

Dave Loomis, VP                                                Present      2018

Tom Grinstad, Secretary                                    Present      2018

Bill Cox, Asst. Sec.                                               Excused      2018

Ken Richardson, Treasurer                                 Present      2018

Tom Marsich, B of D                                          Absent       2020

Larry Martin, B of D                                           Absent       2020

Kirk Lyon, B of D                                                 Absent       2019

Peter Pavlik, B of D                                            Absent       2019

David Osinski, B of D                                          Absent       2019

Tom Modica, B of D                                           Present      2018

Guests:      Rosie Loomis, Virginia Pace,

Potential new members present: Dave Dubler

Secretary’s report:      approval moved by Ken R, 2nd by Ron W.

Treasurer’s report:      for the month we are behind by nearly $1,500.00 for the fiscal year we show a gain of about $8,700.00. Moved, seconded and approved.

Membership Update: Jim Pace went through the chapter roster received from national and removed those who have passed. We have approximately 272 members presently.

Dave Wiggens is in the hospital, room 404, and receiving visitors. A WWII vet, named Walter DeKraii  is also in the hospital.

Old Business:     

1. Bottle auction Feb 23^rd, members (that means you) are encouraged to show up and participate. It will happen after the auxiliary hosts their shrimp dinner, a good deal at $10 / plate. Gene Goldsmith will not be the auctioneer this year. After discussion Bill Bowen is stepping up to take that slot, with Ken Richardson as assistant. Those two guys should be able to strong-arm money out of us. We hope to raise a couple thousand dollars.

New Business:

1. A short discussion about the recitation of the Pledge of Alliagence. No change.
2. Tom Modica announced the VASH bus passes are now valid for three months. A couple of vets have moved out to the county because of the increased mobility offered by the pass.
3. The election for officers and Board of Directors was held.

Officers Results:

President   David Loomis

Vice Pres    Ron Wilson

Secy/Treas Tom Grinstad

1. Board of Directors after discussion, membership voted to relieve directors who have been habitually absent. Those retired are:
   Tom Marsich, Larry Martin, Peter Pavlik, David Osinski

elected are:

Randy Turnbull   term expires        2020

Richard Martinez         “                 2020

Kirk Lyon                       “                 2019

Doug Spangler              “                 2019

George Douglas            “                 2021

Tom Modica                 “                 2021

1. Attending members voted last summer to assist Daniel Kiermaier of Maple Falls in construction of a wheelchair ramp to his residence. As of yesterday he was still waiting. Ron Wilson will visit this week to determine what is actually needed and coordinate the construction / installation. If anyone has an exercise machine not needed, perhaps you will consider donating to Daniel.

Good of the Order:

1. check your VFW calendar
2. Gene has VVA business cards and applications, take them and hand them out to any Vietnam vet who is not a member of the chapter.
3. the DAV needs van drivers. It takes a month or more to get the certificate. The Bellingham van is now picking up for other locations as they have no drivers to put in the driver’s seat.
4. Don’t forget the breakfast on the third Saturday at VFW 9301.
5. Remember the fourth Saturday breakfast at VFW 1585.
6. Richard Brummett reported that the Chocolate Ceremony in Vietnam has run its course, there will be no more. But due to the article about the Dragoon scholarship, 55 Vietnamese children are receiving benefits now.
7. VFW Post 1585 will celebrate the 100^th birthday of the fellow the post was named for.
8. Tom Haddox and wife expressed gratitude to Jim Pace and the membership for the assistance to receiving 100% disability from the VA.

Motion to adjourn: There being no other business, meeting adjourned at 19:08 (7:08 pm)

General Meeting called to order at: 18:55 (6:55 pm for those of you who forgot how to tell time in the military)

Pledge of Allegiance by: Gene Goldsmith

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

Roll Call of officers:                                                                    term expires

Gene Goldsmith, Pres                                        Present      2018

Dave Loomis, VP                                                Present      2018

Tom Grinstad, Secretary                                    Present      2018

Bill Cox, Asst. Sec.                                               Excused      2018

Ken Richardson, Treasurer                                Present      2018

Tom Marsich, B of D                                          Absent       2020

Larry Martin, B of D                                           Absent       2020

Kirk Lyon, B of D                                                 Present      2019

Peter Pavlik, B of D                                             Absent       2019

David Osinski, B of D                                          Absent       2019

Tom Modica, B of D                                           Present      2018

Guests:      Rosie Loomis, Benita Lipayon, Nancy Blackketter, Virginia Pace

Potential new members present: Richard Williams, Thomas Landray

Secretary’s report:      After gentle ribbing regarding the lack of reportage of the December dinner, the non-report was approved by acclimation.

Treasurer’s report:      moved to stand as read, the chapter is apparently 10 grand ahead.

Membership Update: at last count, 285, subject to change as 11 have deceased this year, but we have some new members not on the national roster as yet.

Old Business:     

1. Donation to LaFrienier family – they are doing ok. A donation is deemed not necessary.
2. Bottle auction Feb 23^rd, members (that means you) are encouraged to show up and participate. Gene Goldsmith will not be the auctioneer this year. After discussion Bill Bowen is stepping up to take that slot, with Ken Richardson as assistant. Those two guys should be able to strong-arm money out of us.
3. The December dinner was a gustatory success. There were about 80 attendees. See the previous post for a more complete (?) report.

New Business:

1. Service account issue regarding Lauri Anderson. After a bunch of discussion, the chapter decided to approve repaying Gene for the $1000 in bills he paid for her. All chapter officers, less one, were in favor of the action. Motion for approval by Randy E, 2^nd by David
2. The chapter received an anonymous donation of $3,000 to begin the funding of our memorial fund – to finance the Vietnam Memorial at Greenacres. The memorial is slated for construction in 2019, with a budget of $9,000, more or less.
3. Nominations and election for chapter officers and Board of Directors happen next meeting. Put on your thinkin’ caps and be ready to nominate or volunteer to help run this chapter. A few men have been the stalwarts to keep this thing going and it is not fair that we rely on them exclusively. Others need to come forth and participate.
4. Nancy Blackketter has volunteered to contribute membership notes to the Veteran magazine for the chapter. She and BK have become active here in the past year or so. A big “thank you” to her.
5. Jim Pace proposed that the chapter buy a life membership to VVA ($100) for Caroline Davis, who is a volunteer at the Vets Center, assisting with lots of paperwork (nursing home forms etc), and she is a vet. 2^nd by Ray R, approved.
6. Bill Bowen has received no correspondence from the state organization regarding his letter of November. Typical of action by state.

Good of the Order:

1. check your VFW calendar
2. Gene has VVA business cards and applications, take them and hand them out to any Vietnam vet who is not a member of the chapter.
3. the DAV needs van drivers. It takes a month or more to get the certificate. The Bellingham van is now picking up for other locations as they have no drivers to put in the driver’s seat.
4. Don’ forget the breakfast on the third Saturday at VFW 9301.

Motion to adjourn: There being no other business, meeting adjourned at 19:55 (7:55 pm)

A report of the December dinner is notably late. This reporter humbly asks for forgiveness. The need of reportage simply went above his head. Should anyone feel less forgiving, let him (or her) step forward and relieve me of this responsibility.

Since it is so late, many details have abandoned my memory, but I shall do the best that I can with the depleted resources at my disposal. The first notice as one stepped into the building was the wonderful aroma of roasting beast wafting from the lower floor. As you descended the stairs the hubbub of lively conversation arose in the ears. There were about eighty (80) folks in attendance, so the cacophony was nearly overwhelming. At times it was hard to hear what the neighboring person was thinking. It seemed that nearly every couple was engaged with others at their table discussing the state of the world – or recounting the best cartoon strip of the day.

Wojo (our notable chef) acquitted himself admirably. The roast baron of beef was cooked within an inch of perfection. There were more than ample sides for the omnivores among us. Potatoes, beans, corn, salad, and it seems to me more, as well. When all were stuffed to the bursting point, dessert was announced. There was a sheet cake with the chapter insignia and ice cream to top.

Everyone this reporter talked to thought the dinner was a roaring success. For those of you who chose not to inflict themselves on the rest of us – too bad. You missed an evening that was pretty close to terrific.