Memorial Chapter #165

Monthly Archives: January 2018

Minutes of 2 January 2018

 

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 23rd, 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, 2nd 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. 2nd 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)

 

December 2017 dinner

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.

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