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Minutes of 11 February 2025
Delayed for a week by the weather the General Meeting called to order at: +/- 18:10 (6:10pm) by President David Orona
Pledge of Allegiance by: V. P. Donna Trecker
Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Darlene Carlson
She then gave a quick update on the healing of Gene & Yvonne G.
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 A 2025
Sam Houston, B of D A 2025
Charles Muggy, B of D P 2025
Duane Holliday, B of D P 2025
Dan Norvelle, B of D A 2025
AVVA Pete Kremen, Pres A
Malcolm Oliver, V.P. A
Autumn Sundown P
Lelonni Muggy P
Guests: Gertie Juergens, Bonnie Parten
New members present: Corbin Luna AVVA
Secretary’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Membership Update: VVA – 411, AVVA – 136
Old Business:
- Alex Thompson recognition of assistance to member Larry Martin on New Year’s Day. Alex spent three hours shopping, adapting a motorized wheelchair and threshold work. Great work Alex!
2. March is election month. Consider who you want to run the asylum and nominate them next month.
New Business:
- Darlene proposed to assist funding a bench for Peace Arch Park to the tune of $ 250. After discussion, passed unanimously.
- David summarized the memo from State Council President Francisco. The important point is that voting delegates to the national convention must be submitted by 28 February. As the largest chapter in the state, we should send our share of delegates.
50/50 Raffle: $38 won by Mike Perkowski
Donations: $335. A big thank you to Tom B. for a generous check.
Good of the Order: VFW Breakfast 23 Feb 8:00 to 10:00. $10 adults
Motion to Adjourn: occurred at 18:35 (6:35pm) with a missive to drive carefully. See you all next month – the first Tuesday 4 March 2025…
4 February 2025
Today’s meeting is cancelled due to inclement weather. Keep checking back.
Minutes of 7 January 2025
General Meeting called to order at: 18:08 (6:08pm) by Prez. David Orona
Pledge of Allegiance by: V.P. Donna Trecker
Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Darlene Carlson who also gave news about Gene & Yvonne and their recovery.
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 A 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: Ben Doul (??) invited by Dave Loomis, Jerry (I didn’t get last name)
New members present:
Secretary’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved with one acknowledged reader.
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Membership Update: VVA 409, AVVA 134
Old Business:
- Discussion of website and decision regarding hiring Isaac. He will provide a contract for BoD to approve, and then presented to the membership. Website hosting is under contract until October 2026. After that, he will host. He will work on website, making it more user-friendly. Will have registration form on site by month’s end.
- Donations by Melanie Flink and the Whatcom County Cruisers acknowledged.
- Steve reported on AVVA and also Code Talkers museum in AZ.
New Business:
1.March is election month – start thinking who you want to officiate this madhouse for the next couple of years. Spoiler alert – Donna is not standing for any office.
2. Jim Stilts of Ferndale, requests help with his private Vietnam War Memorial. He has several (10?) boulders placed on his property and would like help envisioning the project. His contact info is: tel. 360 224 2401, 6631 Trent Lane, Ferndale.
50/50 Raffle: None held this month
Donations: $130
Good of the Order: VFW breakfast 26 Jan. 8-10 am $10 adults, $5 children
Motion to Adjourn: 18:28 (6:28 pm) perhaps a new record in brevity.
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)