Minutes of 26 August 2026
Minutes of 26 August 2026
General Meeting called to order at: 18:05 (6:05pm) by President David Orona
Pledge of Allegiance by: V.P. Mike Slocum
Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Chaplain 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 P 2027
Dan Norvelle, B of D P 2027
New members present: Mike Hackett-Army, Jim Barns-Air Force
Secretary’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Membership Update: VVA – 428, AVVA – 197
Old Business:
- Help for VA card Brent Waggoner 360 733 9226, help with VA claim call Shawn Dalgram 360 410 5280.
2. Now meet on fourth Wednesday of the month At AL Post 7.
New Business:
- Motion from the floor to equally divide donations with AVVA. Short discussion, tabled to next month to investigate any possible snags. Steve and Tom will research.
- State Council President gave a short rundown of national proposed acts. A. National Leadership Conference discussed “Mission 75” proposal by which would open membership to vets who served after 1975. They would become members after one year probation. National Convention next year will decide on relocation HQ to Pittsburgh. State and national membership increasing. Travelling wall coming to Ocean Shores 9-15 September. Our state VSO is still the best in the nation. State Council meeting will be 17 October at Snoqualmie summit.
- Steve went to Spokane to discuss opening an AVVA chapter to support the VVA over there in the east. He delivered goods for fire victims as well as a check for $500
Melanie Flink had a silent auction for James Williamson art work.
50/50 Raffle: $65, $33 to Doug Hudson
Donations: $200
Good of the Order: Get yarn donations to Eileen Stehr 360 384 3928
Motion to Adjourn: at 18:42 (6:42pm)
Minutes of 22 July 2026
General Meeting called to order at: 18:25 by President David Orona
Pledge of Allegiance by: David Orona
Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Chaplain Lonnie Rose
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 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: three brought by Dr. Park, I did not get their names.
New members present: Dan (was in the bar)
Secretary’s report: Bylaws amended for day/ venue. Minutes moved, 2nd & approved
Treasurer’s report: A preliminary car show report was shared, to date income statement and balance sheet moved, 2nd & approved
Membership Update: VVA 425, AVVA 192
Old Business: The rough income statement for the car show indicated a good return. Not all income has been reported and not all the bills have arrived. But these results were included in the balance sheet for the chapter.
New Business:
- August 1, the Welcome Home Veterans’ Picnic in Sedro Woolley, 6254 Fruitdale Road. It begins at 11:00
- Motion, second and approved to donate $1,000 to the Sedro picnic.
- Gene Goldsmith shared the returns on the BTC scholarship fund, which appears to have resulted in a nice return. He then asked for a motion to fund the scholarship account $10,000. It was made, 2nd ed and approved with one no vote.
Steve reported the AVVA chapter now has more members than the combined other states in the region. Vanessa Bosch (?) has volunteered to be secretary of the AVVA chapter. Officers will be sworn in next month.
Dave Loomis was responsible for a $5,000 donation to the AVVA.
Donna Trecker was recognized for cash count after the car show.
Doc and Sam also were recognized for their efforts on the show.
50/50 Raffle: $25 to the winner
Donations: $125
Good of the Order: No breakfasts at the VFW until the kitchen floor is fixed. Motion to Adjourn: made at 19:04
Minutes of 24 June 2026
General Meeting called to order at: 18:08 (6:08pm) 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 A 2027
Duane Holliday, B of D P 2027
Dan Norvelle, B of D P 2027
Guests: Nicole Richard, Tobin Hargreaves, USCG
New members present:
Secretary’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
AVVA Treasurer’s report: Victoria reported
Membership Update: VVA – 435, AVVA -179
Old Business:
- Pres gave a brief recounting of the Memorial Day’s festivities
New Business:
- Motion to change meeting venue to the American Legion Post 7, second, approved by acclamation
- Motion to change meeting day to fourth Wednesday of the month, second, short discussion, approved.
- We will honor our commitment to the VFW to financially assist with the kitchen floor.
- The 4th of July is America’s 250th birthday – celebrate.
- Car show date is 19 July. On the 17th at 18:00 (6:00pm) will be a “walkthrough” for parking and other officials. On the 18th the set-up crew will pick up chairs and tables at VFW to transport to show venue, 17:00 (5:00pm).
- Korean War Armistice Day 27 July
- For help in applying for V.A. card – call the Vet Center 360 733 9226 – Brent Waggoner. VSO Shawn Dalgren will help with your filing. 360 410 5380.
- Any Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans – documentation of whether their ship & service may qualify for presumptive VA Disability benefits related to Agent Orange exposure can be found at: https://www.hillandponton.com/blue-water-navy-vietnam-map
9. Doc H. moved to donate $500 to Growing Veterans, second and approved.
50/50 Raffle: Did not occur
Donations: $260
Good of the Order: From State Council President:
- State and national membership still increasing.
- State VSO program is still very effective in processing V.A. claims
- National board zoom meeting 20 July to discuss proposed new plan to continue the VVA. Plan M-85 will extend membership to service veteran prior to 1985 in a new division of VVA.
- Tom Filion recognized for building another wheelchair ramp.
- Next meeting tentatively 26 August.
Motion to Adjourn: 18:39 (6:39pm) by acclamation
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)