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, 2^nd & approved

Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2^nd & approved

Membership Update: VVA – 403, AVVA – 126

Old Business:

1. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Doc presented the Whatcom County Cruising Association’s check for $500 to the VVA.
4. Melanie Flink recounted that her father wanted to support the chapter. She wrote the check on the anniversary of his passing.
5. Francisco Ivarra rose to thank us to submit a short article to the Veteran regarding the car show.
6. Francisco Thanked Ande for service as State Vice President. Steve Pennington of Edmonds is new V.P.
7. 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.
8. Gov. elect Ferguson will keep David Puente in his position of director of Department of Veterans’ Affairs for the state.
9. VVA nationally has done a lot to get legislation passed for all veterans.
10. 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)