Minutes Meeting June 4,2019
General Meeting called to order at @ 6:45 PM by President Dave Loomis
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation by Lonnie Rose
Moment of silence for POW/MIA
Roll Call of officers Term Expires
Dave Loomis, Pres. Present 2020
Ron Wilson, VP Present 2020
Tom Grinstad, Secretary/
Treasurer Excused 2020
Kirk Lyon, B of D Present 2020
Doug Spangler, B of D Absent 2020
Randy Turnbull, B of D Present 2020
Richard Martinez, B of D Absent 2020
George Douglas, B of D Present 2021
Tom Modica, B of D Present 2021
Guests and their acknowledgement
Larry Evans – Wells Fargo Bank
Karen Marie Jones – Wells Fargo Bank
New members present and their acknowledgement
Mike Perkowski – Marines
Craig Convery – Army
Sal Vacca – Navy
Steve Blackburn – Army
Secretary’s May minutes are posted on the chapter website, VVA165.org. Minutes were approved as drafted.
Treasurer’s May report was read by Bill Cox. Discussion and questions followed. The report was approved as read.
Membership Update was provided by Dave Loomis. The chapter currently has 281 members. There are 27 Auxiliary VVA members.
Old Business
The Memorial Day Parade was on Saturday, May 25 and was very successful despite the rain. Five members of the Coast Guard volunteered to assist with the parade. Thanks to all who participated and helped.
The Memorial Day Service on May 27th was a very moving event. There was the Greenacres Festival of Flags and the Vietnam War Memorial Dedication. Special thanks to Dave and Rose Loomis for their work at this event. Gary Turnbull discussed helping with event set up in the future and thereby encouraging other veterans groups to assist in our events. Doc Holliday discussed that the garbage collection should be improved.
Melvins Brewing will donate proceeds from their $3 pints from June 30 to July 13 to the VVA Chapter 165 fund raising program per Tom Modica.
The Vietnam Veterans National Convention will be held July 16 through July 20 in Spokane, Washington.
The Car Show will be on Sunday July 21. An update was discussed by committee members. Anyone who wants to help can sign up with Doc Holliday. Still need volunteers. A signup sheet was circulated. Sam Houston discussed a rehearsal meeting at the car show site Tuesday July 16 at 6PM. Parking procedures, distributing parking vests and registration will be reviewed. Dave Loomis indicated that the Coast Guard is offering to assist. On Saturday July 20 a meeting is tentatively scheduled at 5PM at the VFW to pick up tables and chairs etc. Details of this meeting will be provided at the next chapter meeting. Dale Boe will do the cooking and needs volunteers to assist him. Tom Modica will check with Starbucks about them providing volunteers. Doc Holliday thanked the trophy sponsors, mentioned that we needed more judges and handed out posters to be distributed by the membership. Ask for donations when you give out posters. It was noted that we probably need 10 to 12 parking attendants. Ken Carlson noted that we probably need 10 judges.
Guests Larry Evans and Karen Marie Jones were introduced. Larry discussed the local and national programs Wells Fargo has to support veterans. They included first, real estate properties donated to veterans. Second, they offer scholarships to disabled veterans. Third, the bank has a special veteran hiring program. Fourth, they offer programs for disabled vets. Larry mentioned that we are free to call him if we need anything at Wells Fargo.
Karen Marie Jones discussed her Vietnam connection. A child was born in Vietnam with the father being a GI and the mother being a Vietnamese woman who was subsequently killed in the war. The child was moved to the United States and sponsored by a U.S. church. Karen later married this son of a soldier and a Vietnamese woman. Her husband and Karen had a son named Nickolas who as an adult joined the Navy. He unfortunately was later killed in a car crash. Krista also discussed a Wells Fargo program with which she is involved. It is a fundraiser on October 12 for the organization Growing Veterans. Growing Veterans grows food for veterans and provides counseling for veterans.
New Business
A Pot Luck Party on Saturday, June 8 was discussed by Dave Loomis. This is to honor the Coast Guard that has assisted our chapter in the past. It will be held at 619 Darby Drive in Bellingham from 11AM until whenever. Everyone is invited to Dave’s party.
On Flag Day which is Saturday June 14 please display your flags. VFW Post 1585 will have a shrimp or chicken dinner at 6PM for $10. The address is 625 N. State St. in Bellingham. Bring your friends and have some fun.
San Juan Cruises will have a two hour cruise on the Victoria Star around Bellingham Bay on Monday June 24. This will be to honor those in the military who have been lost. Light refreshments will be served and drinks will be available for purchase. Tickets cost $50 per person. Call Joan Wyatt at (360) 739-1540 or register at htt//a/zsociety.org/event/3rdannualcruise-for-acause.
Ray Radke’s 90th birthday party will be on Friday June 28. Everyone is invited. It will be held at the VFW Post 1585 at 625 N. State St. in Bellingham from 5PM to 8PM. Ray said no gifts.
Raffle Ticket Drawing was conducted by George Douglas. The chapter received $51. Also, the chapter collected $113 for dinner.
Good of the Order
First, on Saturday June 8 VFW Post 1585 at 625 N. State St. in Bellingham will host a Boy Scouts Pancake Breakfast Fund Raiser from 8AM until noon.
Second, on Saturday June 15 VFW Post 9031 at 7011 Hannegan Road in Lynden will host a breakfast from 8 to 11AM. Adults are $7 and children 5 and younger are free.
Third, on Sunday June 30 VFW Post 1585 at 625 N. State St. in Bellingham will host a breakfast from 8 until 10AM.
Fourth, Ken Richardson introduced a motion to donate $400 for the chapter to buy bus passes for veterans who live in veteran assisted housing. Motion seconded and passed.
Fifth, Ken Richardson thanked everyone for the Greenacres Memorial Day Service. Greenacres is owned by the Allied Veterans Council. The purchase of memorial bricks for $125 was also encouraged.
Sixth, Dave Loomis was wished a happy 68th birthday by all.
Benediction was conducted by Chaplain Lonnie Rose. He discussed that the VVA embraces all religions. Additionally, the role of the chaplain was reviewed. Finally, Lonnie is a minister and counselor and he is available for counseling to all members.
Next meeting is July 2, 2019. Dinner will begin at 6 PM with the meeting at 7 PM. Spouses and guests are invited.
Motion to adjourn meeting at @ 7:35 PM. Motion seconded and passed. The meeting was adjourned by Dave Loomis.