Upcoming Events
List current and future events
Minutes of 5 September 2023
General Meeting called to order at: 18:25 by Pres. Richard Carpenter
Pledge of Allegiance by: V.P. Donna Trecker
Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Lonnie Rose
Roll Call of officers: term expires
Richard Carpenter, 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 A 2025
Duane Holliday, B of D P 2025
Dan Norvelle, B of D A 2025
Guests:
New members present: Tom Filion, U.S. Army, Truk Tolstad (donated to chapter) AVVA
Secretary’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Membership Update: VVA 400, AVVA 117
Old Business:
- Welcome Home BBQ at Sedro Wooley was a success. Didn’t hear what the attendance was.
2. Chapter donated $400 to have veteran’s apartment cleaned so he wouldn’t be evicted
New Business:
- Doc Holliday moved to provide $1,000 donation to Brigadoon Service Dogs. Moved to amend motion to $2,000 by Lonnie, passed overwhelmingly.
- Another of our members, Roy Mattingly needs help to fix his roof. He has the roofing tar, and a fork lift to get to the roof, but cannot do it by himself. Phone 360 383 7469 if you can assist.
- Darlene Carlson, the DAR chief locally has arranged for a presentation to our chapter at the next meeting. Any Gold Star Mothers, family members, veterans are encouraged to attend. The meeting will be 3 October, meal at 5:30, meeting at 6:30.
- Pres. Richard Carpenter read a portion of a letter to the chapter received from Ron Wilson. The matter is now closed.
- Upcoming September events:
11 Sep. – Patriot Day
15 Sep – National POW/MIA Recognition Day
“ VFW Post 1585 Garage sale pre-sale
16 Sep – VFW Post 1585 Garage sale begins at 9:00 – 3:00 pm
“ Annual Kenny Payne Pig Roast dinner starts at 5:00 pm
17 Sep – Garage Sale continues until noon
18 Sep – U.S.A.F. birthday (1949) also CIA birthday
24 Sep – Gold Star Mothers’ Day “ VFW breakfast 8:00 to 10:00 $10 adults / $8 children
11 Sep. – Patriot Day
15 Sep – National POW/MIA Recognition Day
“ VFW Post 1585 Garage sale pre-sale
16 Sep – VFW Post 1585 Garage sale begins at 9:00 – 3:00 pm
“ Annual Kenny Payne Pig Roast dinner starts at 5:00 pm
17 Sep – Garage Sale continues until noon
18 Sep – U.S.A.F. birthday (1949) also CIA birthday
24 Sep – Gold Star Mothers’ Day
“ VFW breakfast 8:00 to 10:00 $10 adults / $8 children
Remember to donate used ink cartridges to the chapter.
7. Lonnie Rose announced that there is a veteran’s handy man, Steve Weden 360 319 1514. He’s apparently a good guy.
50/50 Raffle: won by V.P. Donna Trecker who donated back $20
Good of the Order:
A certificate of appreciation given to Tom Filion for assistance.
Chapter Board of Directors’ meeting 26 Sept. at 3:00 pm VFW
Motion to Adjourn: made at 18:56, one of our shorter meetings.
Minutes of 1 August 2023
General Meeting called to order at: 18:20 by President Richard Carpenter
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
Richard Carpenter, 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 A 2025
Dan Norvelle, B of D A 2025
Guests: Francisco Ivarra, Karen Callery, Judy Darden, Ande Mitchelle
New members present: Gary Henderson, Alan Callery, Richard Darden
Secretary’s report: He gave a glowing report and it was moved, 2nd & approved
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Membership Update: by Dave Loomis – VVA 400, AVVA 116
Old Business:
- The chapter funded the VASH bus passes to the tune of $300.00
- 21st National Convention starts 9 August 2023; we still have no delegate willing to travel to Orlando. We are allowed 8 delegates. This convention is important. It will decide how and when to dissolve the National VVA, offering a guideline for chapters to follow.
- Francisco Ivarra gave a few remarks on the importance of the national convention and the issues it will deal with. He said he is disappointed that no chapter delegate is going. We need to get a delegate(s) to attend. The state and region will be strongly represented. Our state VSO program is the best (most effective) in the nation. The national is pressuring the Korean government to fund the VA services that should be provided to ROK veterans of Vietnam.
New Business:
- Tom G. gave a short report on the financial results of the car show.
- Saturday 5 August is the Welcome Home picnic in Sedro Wooley. BBQ food, music and dance offered free of charge. Ande Mitchelle gave a short plug for it, emphasizing the family friendliness.
- On 8 August the Board of Directors will have a meeting at VFW 15:00 hours. Several items to discuss.
- 31 August VFW Post 1585 has chili dogs for sale $2 apiece.
- $500 donation by Truk Tolstad (he will donate $5 per sale made from his mobile knife & scissor sharpening business)
- New member Tom Filion aided a veteran’s need for trash hauling.
- Tom G. noted that the PNW Naval Air Museum has asked for a donation from the chapter. This will be discussed in the BoD meeting and referred to membership.
50/50 Raffle: won by Judy Brulette, who donated it back to the chapter.
Good of the Order: Reminder Legion #7 has karaoke night and you can see the prez doin’ his thing.
Motion to Adjourn: adjourned at 18:59 good work all
Minutes 6 June 2023
Call to order by President Richard Carpenter at 18:23 (6:23 pm)
Pledge of Allegiance by V.P. Donna Trecker
Invocation by Donna
Roll call of officers: Term Expires
Richard Carpenter Pres. P 2025
Donna Treker, V.P. P 2025
Tom Grinstad, Sec/Treas. P 2025
David Loomis, BoD P 2025
Lonnie Rose, BoD A 2025
Sam Houston, BoD P 2025
Charles Muggy, BoD P 2025
Duane Holliday, BoD P 2025
Dan Norvelle, BoD A 2025
Guests: Dr. Park brought one guest, whose name I did not get
New Members: Hannah Booker
Secretary’s report: M, S, Approved as presented
Treasurer’s report: M, S, Approved as presented
Membership update: 392 VVA, 111 AVVA members
Old Business:
- Accounting of funds for County annex property @ Smith & Northwest. Malcolm Oliver stated the letter presented deals with accounts.
- Title or Bill of Sale for Conex parked at Ray Radke’s property. Bill of sale to be forthcoming.
- Do we want to have a meeting on the Fourth of July? There was much discussion, with the final decision that it was M, S, and Approved to meet on 11 July at the normal time.
- Erika Moore, and Troy Buist of Habitat for Humanity presented briefly their program Veterans Build Program, designed to assist veterans by making home stay a reality. Troy gave his cell # 360 927 4987 as easier to reach.
- Report on Memorial Day Picnic, Richard recounted the afternoon. A discussion ensued about the sparce attendance. The decision was to go to a start time of 15:00, 3:00 pm. Next year.
New Business:
- Doc gave a short report on the Car Show planning progress. He stated we have only 50 pre-registrations so far, which is ominous. He reiterated the need for raffle prizes and encouraged all to solicit from restaurants, car parts stores, etc.
- A man named Steven Weden is available to perform tasks around veterans’ homes. His phone number is 360 319 1514.
50/50 raffle won by: Autumn Loomis
Good of the Order:
- 21st National Convention of the VVA begins on 9 August 2023. Chapter will look for delegates to the convention. Our chapter is allowed to have 8 delegates. Take this seriously, since VVA National has decided this is a “last man standing” organization, and since the youngest of us are now in the seventh decade of life, systems and procedures must be put in place to wind this all down.
Motion to adjourn: at 18:58 (6:58 pm)
Minutes of 2 May 2023
General Meeting called to order at: 17:50 (5:50pm) by Pres. Richard C. We led off with the bottle auction. A quick 25 minutes sold all the bottles, netting the chapter $380.
Pledge of Allegiance by: VP Donna T
Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Lonnie R
Roll Call of officers: term expires
Richard Carpenter, Pres P 2025
Donna Trecker, VP P 2025
Tom Grinstad, Secretary / Treasurer P 2025
David Loomis, B of D A 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: Dr. Park introduced Mr./Mrs. Lee, Carol Orona.
New members present: Curt Wolters, Air Force F-100 pilot
Secretary’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Membership Update: 390 VVA, 109 AVVA
Old Business:
- Bertella Hanson gave a short presentation on Quilts of Valor, an organization she is member of. They create quilts for veterans as a thank you for their service. A question about the time needed to create a quilt. Thinking that they would be particularly appropriate for hospice patients. Answer – probably a month. Call 360 739 6308 for more information.
- Malcolm O delivered an update to the NW Annex project. Still progressing w/ minimum bureaucratic help. There is a group of 12 physicians fully behind the effort to bring more veterans’ assistance to the county. He also noted that Whatcom Co. veterans of color is looking for ways to become helpful (driving?)
- John F. gave an update on the Memorial Day Parade
- Doc H reported on the status of the car show.
New Business:
- A Board of Directors meeting will be held 9 May at 15:00 at the VFW. Final plans for the Memorial Day picnic is the subject.
- Steve reported on the book Final arrangements 101. It deals with getting your s__t together before you die, so your family has less to deal with.
- In that same vein, the AVVA has put out a booklet The Paper Safe a handy booklet to list the information your family will need to receive the benefits you’ve earned.
- State Council President Francisco Ivarra gave a short talk explaining the National Convention in Orlando this year and the Leadership Conference in Reno next year. Because of our large membership this chapter is allowed 8 delegates to the convention. Pres Ivarra also related that this state has the best Veterans’ Service Officer branch in the nation. It by far brings in the most assistance per capita.
- The national convention will entertain 12 proposals dealing with the strategic plan for the future of the VVA. It behooves us to send our 8 delegates this year to help decide how to eventually end the organization.
50/50 Raffle: Won by Glenda who donated back to the chapter – setting a good example for us.
Good of the Order: Flag Day parade 17 June at Ocean Shores.
The Travelling Wall will be on display at Ocean Shores 15-18 June.Motion to Adjourn: at 19:20 7:20pm
Minutes of 4 April 2023
General Meeting called to order at: 18:15 (6:15pm) by President Richard Carpenter
Pledge of Allegiance by: V.P. Donna Trecker
Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Lonnie Rose
Roll Call of officers: term expires
Richard Carpenter, Pres P 2025
Donna Trecker, VP P 2025
Tom Grinstad, Secretary / Treasurer P 2025
David Loomis, B of D A 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 P 2025
New members present: David Ronan, Army Infantry; Otis Noe, Army Engineers; Young S Park, White Horse Brigade ROK
Secretary’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved. Gene G remarked that we still do not have accounting of $6,000 disbursed for proposed Vets’ Center at NW & Smith Roads. Malcolm O said he will provide documentation next meeting. Ray R made a similar remark concerning the conex box placed on his property. We need a bill of sale.
Membership Update: VVA members: 338, AVVA 106
Old Business:
1. Chapter elections were noted.
2. National Vietnam Veterans’ Day celebrated at VFW 1585
New Business:
- Brief report on the WA State Council meeting at Yakima was given by VP Donna T. She noted that our previous chapter president was removed from the VVA.
- John F moved support for the Memorial Day Parade in the amount of $1,000. Seconded and approved
3. Steve J swore in AVVA officers: Pete Kremen, President; Malcolm Oliver, VP; LeLonni Muggy, Treasurer
4. Moved, seconded and approved $500 expenditure to VFW in lieu of rent.
5. Doc H gave a short report on the Car Show meeting of 3 April. Flyers are printed, ready for distribution. Tee shirts are on the way. We still need volunteers to do set-up, take-down, parking, judging, and other tasks.
6. Veterans’ Benefits Fair at the Veterans Resource Center, South Whidbey Community Center, 723 Camano Avenue, Building C. Call 360=331-8081 for more info.
7. Our Chapter Dinner and Bottle Auction happens this month, April 21 at 5:pm VFW main hall NOT the basement. The dinner is potluck, so bring a dish to share.
8. Gene G reported on the War on Terror Memorial to be placed in Greenacres. An eagle scout, Janon Gill, is heading the effort. M/S/A to give $2,000 to the Whatcom Allied Veterans’ Council to help fund this memorial.
9. Mike McCafferty from Regenesis Biomedical gave a short presentation on the Provant Infinity therapy system, using electrical stimulation to relieve pain. This is VA approved, and he is willing to help applying for this therapy. An information packet was supplied to all.
50/50 Raffle Won by: Mary $33
Good of the Order: Board of Directors meeting will be held at 15:00 (3:00pm) May 2nd.
Motion to adjourn: M/S/A adjourned at 19:25 (7:25pm)