Minutes of 6 May 2026

General Meeting called to order at: 18:16 (6:16pm) by President David Orona

Pledge of Allegiance by: Pres. David Orona

Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Darlene Carlson

Roll Call of officers:                                                           term expires

          David Orona, Pres                                     P                 2027

          Mike Slocum, VP                                      A                 2027

          Tom Grinstad, Secretary / Treasurer      P                 2027

          David Loomis, B of D                                P                 2027

          Lonnie Rose, B of D                                  A                 2027

          Sam Houston, B of D                                P                 2027

          Charles Muggy, B of D                             P                 2027

          Duane Holliday, B of D                             P                 2027          

Dan Norvelle, B of D                                P                 2027

Guests: Ernesto Plenor, Jim Filion, Ali Navarro, Allen York, Ron Wilson

New members present: none at this meeting

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

Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved

Membership Update: VVA – 435, AVVA–173

Old Business:

1. State President Francisco Ivarra gave a short update on the situation with Chapter 1109. The state’s VSO still is number 1 in the nation to process veteran’s claims.

2. Ivarra also related the struggles at national to determine the future of the VVA. Shall we be open to all service veterans? Also talk of moving the HQ to Pittsburgh.

New Business:

1. May is loaded with activities – 8 May is Military Spouse Day, 16 May is Armed Forces Day, 21 May is Change of Command Ceremony USCG at Bellingham Yacht Club 2025 N. Harbor Loop. 23 May is the Memorial Day Parade in downtown Bellingham. 25 May has the Festival of Flags noon to 3pm. This also is our Memorial Day Picnic (pot luck) at Hovander Park in Ferndale at 4:00pm.
2. 28 May is a Veterans’ Memorial Presentation in the Ferndale Public Library beginning at 14:00 (2pm).
3. Darlene Carlson explained the twisted journey of the 250 bench. The proposal was originally intended to go in Peace Arch Park; in fact, no state park would allow it. Hovander Park did not approve the design, Ferndale Plaza was approached, again to be denied. It has found a permanent place at the Pacific Northwest Air Museum Ault Field Road in Oak Harbor. The dedication will be 14 June at 13:00 (1pm) 545 Ault Fiels Rd. Be there or be square…
4. Roses were distributed to all the women.

Car show meeting will be 14 May at 15:00

50/50 Raffle: $30 won by Vicky who donated back to the Chapter

Donations: $230

Good of the Order: Doug Hudson described how he got scammed by telephone. They pretended to be from the FTC, FDA and other branches and got info from a hack of medical services. Don’t go along with any high-pressure tactics. They thieves are hitting all of Western Washington.

VFW kitchen will be out of service for a couple of months while the floor is repaired and drainage problems are solved. No food service until the kitchen is restored.

Motion to Adjourn:  at 19:05 (7:05pm)