Minutes of Meeting 5 April 2016

General Meeting called to order at: 6:15 by President Gene Goldsmith

Pledge of Allegiance: Gene Goldsmith

Invocation by: Gene Goldsmith

Moment of silence for POW/MIA

Roll Call of officers:

Gene Goldsmith, Pres                    present

Dave Loomis, VP                             present

Gary Lysne, 2^nd V.P.                       present

Bill Cox, Secretary                           present

Ken Richardson, Treasurer           present

Tom Darling, B of D                        absent

Richard Martinez, B of D               absent

John Bradshaw, B of D                   absent

Tom Modica, B of D                         absent

Greg Bremer, B of D                        present

Tom Grinstad, Asst. Secy.              present

President Gene took a moment to recognize that we had a room full of guests and everyone present introduced themselves. Then it was dinner time. According to the count by Yvonne there were 67 members, wives and guests in attendance. At approximately 7:25 the business meeting began.

New members present: Two new members – did not get their names

Secretary’s March minutes published on line. Moved to approve Ed S 2^nd by Lonnie r.

Treasurer’s year-end report Ken went briefly through the printouts, reported taxes done and accepted by IRS. Motion to approve by Bill W, 2^nd by Curt.

Membership Update: stands at 275

Old Business:

1. Discussion about representation at State. Call for volunteers to stand for WSAC officers/board. No one stepped up. A question by Randy T. is there value in having chapter exposure at state. Decided that Gene G, David L, and Bill Bowen will attend State meeting on the 23^rd. Official delegates for state are: Goldsmith, Lysne, Loomis, Cox, Bowen, Elmore, Rose, Richardson, Scattum, Pettigrew, alternates: George Douglas, Richard Wilson, Bill Wilcox.
2. Car Show – neither Tom Modica nor Dale Boe present so no update.
3. Memorial Day – shaping up nicely. Lisa Kirk Brown to be featured speaker. Jim Nylands will do benediction. Two cakes approved to buy at Haggen’s and the beans come from Kelly’s O’deli.

New Business:

1. 31 names added to e-mail list thus far.
2. Receipt acknowledged of donation by the Rickenbackers in the amount of $2,400.00. Bill Cox will write the thank you letter.

Next meeting is, 3 May 2016.

Good of the Order:

1. Check VFW calendar Bobby doing piano bar
2. WW1 event at Lynden Museum 23 April
3. DAV van Winfred Mack retired the VA has found a full-time employee to do the scheduling and driving…
4. There will be a meet and greet with Elizabeth Scott running to replace Susan Del Bene. (How to remove incumbents.) Gene and Yvonne are hosting at Lairmont Manor April 21^st 5:30 to 7:30
5. Cards saying “thank you for your service” from Lynden Middle School, Jeff Seaholm instructor. All the cards should have found a home with someone.
6. Richard will present photos of the 7^th annual Chocolate Day in Vietnam next meeting.

Motion to adjourn: by Ken Richardson at approximately 8:00 pm.

Our local Bellingham chapter is now the 25th largest VVA chapter in the Nation. We currently have 258 members. Our membership chairman, Jim Pace, has done an outstanding job in presenting to the community all the benefits of VVA membership. Call Jim at (360) 733-9226 for additional information.

Over 100 vintage models from every decade will be on display at Sunset Square shopping center on Sunday, July 19th between 10 AM and 2 PM. Trophies will be given out for a variety of categories, including the best car for each of nine decades. The show is free, so bring the family .

The Car Show is a fund raising activity for the Ron Davenport Memorial Chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America. The proceeds from the show go to a variety of scholarships and the Children of Vietnam charity organization.

Come enjoy the spectacle of one of the area’s best car shows at Sunset Square Shopping Center, located near Interstate 5 and Sunset Drive in Bellingham. Help support Vietnam Veterans with your attendance.

VVA Chapter 165 of Bellingham held a Town Hall meeting on the “Faces of Agent Orange” on Friday, September 19^th which almost overwhelmed the auditorium at the St. Luke’s Health, Education Community Center in Bellingham. Just over 300 attendees from BC to Whatcom and Skagit Counties and even as far away as Lacey came to hear compelling testimonials on Vietnam Veterans who themselves and children alike suffer from the effects of Agent Orange.

After appropriate introductions were made , which included honoring the POW / MIA national recognition day, the audience had the unique opportunity to hear from Jack McManus who himself was a crew chief in Operation Ranch Hand which sprayed the chemical dioxin known as Agent Orange during the peak years of dispersion — ’67-’68. The effects of Agent Orange that he not only incurred but what he saw as impact on the troops who came into contact with the substance –  paved a road that led him to do further research over the years into what has been recognized as a medical travesty to Veteran’s and their families. His understanding of the situation and issues along with his strong advocacy to “right” the situation has helped lead VVA National to be the foremost Veteran organization in helping to create legislation on toxic exposure research and military family support. He captivated the audience.

The other guest speaker who was great to have present was the Founder of the AVVA – Nancy Switzer. A wife of a Vietnam Vet impacted by Agent Orange himself, led to effects that have since transcended to her daughter, son and grandchildren. Her heartfelt experiences and determination to “do something about the impact” given her nursing background has since created an outspoken advocate for Veterans suffering from the effects of agent orange and the impact on their families. She is the Chairman of the AVVA Agent Orange Committee and is also a longtime advisor to the Vietnam Veterans of America legislative and health committees. Her story was  captivating as well and was  followed by a video of recent Senate legislation presented from Senator Moran of Kansas S. 2738 – Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2014.

There were over 35 testimonials that were registered or just over 10% of the attendees. Besides Vietnam Veterans offering testimony, there were numerous wives who provided testimony along with several children of Vets who told there story of impacting developments on themselves.

After the meeting was concluded, many positive comments in holding this type of town hall format were taken in by the members of our chapter who themselves were very highly motivated in making this event a successful outreach to the veteran community. We can attribute the success of this event in the support VVA National provided. There have now been over 110 town hall meetings around the country and we were the 111^th – some say a lucky number — but as Nancy Switzer said (who has attended many of these meetings) probably one of the highest attended Town Hall meetings she has seen – and the quality of testimonials was tremendous. We will be supplying VVA National with some good solid information on “getting the word out” and “Vets helping Vets”.