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, 2nd & approved
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Membership Update: VVA – 435, AVVA–173
Old Business:
- 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:
- 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.
- 28 May is a Veterans’ Memorial Presentation in the Ferndale Public Library beginning at 14:00 (2pm).
- 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…
- 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)
Minutes of 1 April 2026
General Meeting called to order at: 18:15 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 A 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 P 2027
Dan Norvelle, B of D A 2027
Guests: Lt. L Sisk USCG, others not identified
New members present: none
Secretary’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved (after grilling, secretary floated an April Fools joke which went over like a lead balloon)
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved (no bank statement to reconcile, as it is the first day of the month)
Membership Update: None given this month
Old Business:
- Chapter bylaws are changed to permit meetings on the first Wednesday of each month.
2. Chapter donated $326 in addition to the meeting collection.
New Business:
- Lt Sisk gave a brief talk on the US Coast Guard Detachment at the harbor; what their duties are, what their strength is, etc. He also gave a short history of how he became the commander of the detachment, and some personal history. He answered many questions from the members.
- The state council will beet on Saturday 4 April in Toppenish. V. P. Mike Slocum will attend.
- AVVA slate of officers was announced for the two-year terms that will begin in May. Pete Kremen, President; Victoria Hartshorn, V.P.; Autumn , Secretary; Lelonni Muggy, treasurer.
- The chapter was given a 65-inch flat screen tv to be auctioned off at the Memorial Day Picnic. No need to be present to win.
- Chapter voted to donate $25 gift cards to the USCG detachment which were distributed today.
- Chapter voted to support the Memorial Day Parade to the tune of $1,000.
- 6 April is Army Day
- 9 April is National POW Recognition Day.
- Car show planning meeting will be 23 April at 15:00. State Council will donate $500 to the car show
- 10. National Vietnam Veterans’ Recognition Day is Sunday 29 April
50/50 Raffle: $40 to Rhonda Brione
Donations: $150
Good of the Order: VFW Breakfast occurs 26 April 8:00 – 10:00. Cost $11/adults, $5 kids under 12 years of age.
Motion to Adjourn: 18:46 (not record time, but pretty good)
Minutes of 4 March 2026
General Meeting called to order at: 18:03 by V.P. Mike Slocum
Pledge of Allegiance by: again Mike Slocum
Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Lonnie Rose
Roll Call of officers: term expires
David Orona, Pres A 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 P 2027
Dan Norvelle, B of D P 2027
Guests: Lynn and ? (did not get the name)
New members present: Frank Parker, Doug Bestle
Secretary’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Membership Update: VVA-433, AVVA-164
Old Business:
- Membership approved having 2 AVVA persons on the Board of Directors. Discussion concerning voting rights of those persons. With information from State Council President Ivarra, we decided to have this determined at a future Board meeting.
Steve Jordan announced the slate of AVVA officers to stand for election in April. Pete Kremen – President, Vicki Hartshorn – Vice President, Lelonnie Muggy – Secretary / Treasurer.
New Business:
- Tom explained the change to the Bylaws so the general meeting occurs on the first Wednesday of each month. This occurs with the encouragement of the VFW.
- Doc Holliday solicited Car Show trophy sponsors. Next Car Show meeting is Thursday 26 March at 15:00 in the VFW basement.
- Lonnie asked for a donation to support Lynden High School Food Drive. A motion to have the Chapter match the night’s collection was made. The collection netted $326.
- National Vietnam War Veterans’ Day is 29 March, Sunday.
5. State Council Francisco Ivarra reported: a) Yakima Nation Warriors Association Welcome Home Program will be held on 28 March. At Sarge Hubbard Park. b) 4 April is the state council meeting at the Legends Casino in Toppenish. Chapter Pres. And V.P. and two delegates are eligible to attend. c) National Board of Directors meet. d) Financial rebate to chapters will resume. (This year I assume). e) National leadership conference 11-15 August will discuss the future of the VVA. This continues to be brought forward at each convention and continues to be defeated by the membership. The members apparently want this to be a “last man standing” organization. What will be our legacy???
50/50 Raffle: $81 won by Dee VanBeek who donated back to the chapter. Total $162
Donations: $100
Good of the Order: VFW breakfast on 29 March 8:00-10:00 in the basement where we meet. Cost: $11 adults/ $5 kids under 12 years old. Motion to Adjourn: 18:50
Minutes of 3 February 2026
General Meeting called to order at: approx. 18:15 by Pres. 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 A 2027
Charles Muggy, B of D P 2027
Duane Holliday, B of D P 2027
Dan Norvelle, B of D P 2027
Guests: Cori Bryant, Ann Clark, Katherine Baer
New members present: Rick Baer
Secretary’s report: After giving the membership a hard time about not saying the secret word it was moved, 2nd & approved
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Membership Update: VVA 430, AVVA 163
Old Business:
- Review of VFW basement floor problem. Encourage buying raffle tickets.
New Business:
- Prior to the official start of the meeting, Cori Bryant and Ann Clark of the Opportunity Council gave a short presentation to the members hoping to solicit a grant of $500 to support their veterans’ services. Specifically, their Veterans’ Standdown which will occur on 5 June at the Salvation Army here in Bellingham. The money will be used to pay operating expenses. Moved, 2nd & approved.
- At the Board of Directors meeting in January, a grant to VFW for basement floor repair in the amount of $2,500 was recommended approval for a vote by the membership. Moved 2nd & approved. The money will be disbursed when construction begins.
- The board also recommended that the AVVA be allowed to have a non-voting presence (two persons) on the board. Moved 2nd & approved.
- Also, at the BoD meeting it was recommended to change the meeting day to the first Wednesday. Moved 2nd & approved. This will require amending the Bylaws. The membership will vote on the bylaw change in the March meeting. This is your official announcement.
- State Council meeting 4 April in Toppenish. National leadership conference will be held in Jacksonville, Florida 11-115 August at Hyatt Regency Riverfront.
- VSO Arthur Ebert will be working in Bellingham Mondays and Tuesday s 7:00-noon.
- Steve called for AVVA officer nominations for the coming two years. Election will be in May.
- Steve discussed the flood relief efforts from the VVA and AVVA. Sumas is nearly a ghost town right now. And he discussed problems with FEMA and relief.
Donations: $130.00 A directed donation to BTC for $219.86 is a pass-thru.
Good of the Order: VFW breakfast is on 22 February from 8:00 to 10:00. Cost is $11/adult, $5/kid under 12 years old.
Motion to Adjourn: 18:55 Be the best you can be…
Minutes of date 2 December 2025
General Meeting called to order at: 18:20 (6:20pm) by V.P. Mike Slocum
Pledge of Allegiance by: Mike Slocum
Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Darlene Carlson
Roll Call of officers: term expires
David Orona, Pres A 2027
Mike Slocum, VP P 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: None
New members present: None
Secretary’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Membership Update: VVA – 429, AVVA – 158
Old Business:
- Barron Heating (John) presented a substantial check to the Chapter to aid in our efforts to veterans’ relief. Courtney’s birthday today…A group photo was taken.
Darlene gave update on the America 250 bench in Ferndale
New Business:
- Darlene talked about being part of the White House decorating committee. A unique honor for her, and us. 12,010 applicants and 150 were selected – she was the only one from WA state. Two days of preparation and then decoration began.
- 13 December is the birthday of the National Guard/Wreaths Across America.
50/50 Raffle: None this month
Donations: $125
Good of the Order: Motion to Adjourn: 18:43