Minutes of 6 December 2022
General Meeting called to order at: 18:20 by Pres. Bob Aspiras
Pledge of Allegiance by: Malcolm Oliver
Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Lonnie Rose
Roll Call of officers: term expires
Robert Aspiras, Pres P 2023
Ron Wilson, VP P 2023
Tom Grinstad, Secretary / Treasurer P 2023
David Loomis, B of D P 2023
Randy Turnbull, B of D A 2023
Sam Houston, B of D P 2023
Raymond Radke, B of D P 2023
Larry Montgomery, B of D P 2023
Charles Muggy, B of D P 2023
Duane Holliday, B of D P 2023
Guests: William Sanchez Navy veteran of ‘70s. Picked up 3 sets of astronauts. Ray and Carla Van Beek, Dorothy Rood, Karen Brown
New members present:
Secretary’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Membership Update: New totals VVA=371, AVVA=96
Old Business:
1. State Council President Francisco Ivarra gave a short report on the 40th anniversary celebration of the Vietnam Wall. The short of it is that he felt the best talk was given by a VN nurse, who had many audience members afflicted with wet eye syndrome. She served in Chu Lai and had many memories of young guys in a nearly endless stream with missing extremities, etc. Region 8, our region was well represented and our chapter sent Bob Aspiras, Ron Wilson and Larry Montgomery. The region representatives went as a group to museums, Arlington Cemetery, Kennedy’s grave, the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and of course – the Wall.
New Business:
1. Ray Van Beek spoke of the Veterans Banner Project, which places banners of veterans at various sites in the county. A picture of the veteran and info concerning his/her service is what’s needed to produce a banner approximately 36” x 48” to be hung in approved sites. His contact info: 360 815 3255, rcvb5@aol.com
2. Doc Holliday was in the spotlight today. A smart guy who was drafted into the army, he extended to avoid Vietnam. So, guess where he deployed? Doc related a story about the Chinook taking fire, crash landing and having to splice electronics to get it flying again.
3. Bob Aspiras shared a trailer pumping the Army / Navy game to be played this Saturday.
4. Malcolm Oliver gave a short update on the progress of the annex project.
50/50 Raffle Won by: Lana Haddox $22
Good of the Order: Have a great holiday season. See you all next year. Let’s get more folks involved.
Attendance: 42 signed in tonight.
Motion to adjourn: 19:10 (7:10 pm)