Minutes of 7 October 2025
General Meeting called to order at: 18:25 (6:25pm) by President David Orona
Pledge of Allegiance by: V.P. Mike Slocum
Invocation by & Moment of Silence for POW/MIA by: Lonnie Rose
Roll Call of officers: term expires
David Orona, Pres P 2027
Mike Slocum, VP P 2027
Tom Grinstad, Secretary / Treasurer P 2027
David Loomis, B of D P 2027
Lonnie Rose, B of D P 2027
Sam Houston, B of D P 2027
Charles Muggy, B of D P 2027
Duane Holliday, B of D A 2027
Dan Norvelle, B of D A 2027
Guests: Jamie Arnet
New members present: Pete Sanders
Secretary’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved, noted letters of appreciation from scholarship recipients. Any who want copies let the secretary know.
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Membership Update: VVA – 431, AVVA – 156
Old Business:
Rosemarie Loomis authored and distributed a booklet celebrating the 41st Anniversary of the chapter. Thank you for the effort. It’s a concise history of this chapter, one of the largest on the west coast.
New Business:
- Jamie Arnett gave a short presentation “Animals as Natural Therapy”, an organization she represents. They serve nearly 5,000 people in the county with animal assisted therapy, mental and behavioral. They are one of four PATH accredited organizations, using horses in their therapy. They also have other animals (chickens, rabbits, and even a therapy cow. They go to twelve different schools to associate with children. They offer many programs. Among them are: work with hospice, visits to the farm, mobile programs to assisted care facilities, and work with veterans. Jamie gave a short history of the program. It is now common knowledge that equine assisted therapy works. Horses are particularly sympathetic and “mirror” the patient’s stress level, even to the extent of syncing heartbeats. They can teach us to ground ourselves. ANT offers twice a year a six-week course specifically tuned to veterans – at no cost. Tours available every third Friday of the month.
- Steve gave a short report on the AVVA. He has completed the required annual reports, to keep them in the clear.
- Growing Veterans needs new hand tools. He suggested we donate for the purchase. The chapter’s Board of Directors will take it up at the next meeting.
- Note that this chapter has assisted veterans to the tune of over $425 in the past month alone.
50/50 Raffle: Autumn won $38.
Donations: $192
Good of the Order: VFW 1585 Chili Cookoff occurs 24 October, tasting starts at 18:00 (6:00pm). And the monthly breakfast is 26 October 8:00 – 10:00, cost is $11 adults / $5 for kids under 12 years old.
Motion to Adjourn: made at 18:48 (6:48pm)