Minutes of 28 October 2026
General Meeting called to order at: 181:18 (6:18pm) by President David Orona
Pledge of Allegiance by: V.P. Mike Slocum
Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Chaplin 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 A 2027
Guests: Gertie Juergens, Bobbie Bell
New members present:
Secretary’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved, Single statement of previous month (ex. October at Nov. meeting) moved, seconded and approved.
Membership Update: VVA – 444, AVVA – 192
Old Business:
- Pres. Dave Orona gave a summary of the state council meeting held at Snoqualmie summit. Big news Kennewick has a new VA clinic. VSO Jeannie Ebert is the top VSO in the nation.
- Tom Modica has paid for our internet domain name for the next two years. Thank you, Tom
- AVVA member Dean Myers donated 12 folding tables to the chapters. Thank you, Dean.
- V.P. Mike Slocum will begin marketing the chapter to local businesses.
5. We will discontinue our funding of the WTA VASH bus passes.
New Business:
- Doc Holliday moved to donate $500 to the Whatcom Humane Society to help the 30 dogs rescued last week. Passed unanimously.
- Nov. 7 – 8 craft show at My Garden with Dee and Eileen exhibiting
- Because of Thanksgiving the next meeting will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 24th. Likewise, the Dec. meeting will be held on Tues. Dec 22nd.
50/50 Raffle: won by Doc – donated back to the chapter $116
Donations: $100
Good of the Order: VFW breakfast will return after the kitchen repair is inspected and approved – possibly in January.
Motion to Adjourn: 19:17 (7:17 pm)
Minutes of 23 September 2026
General Meeting called to order at: 18:10 (6:10pm) by Vice President Mike Slocum
Pledge of Allegiance by: Mike (and Donna T.)
Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Chaplain 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: Gertie Jenkins, Bonnie Parton
New members present:
Secretary’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved after a short joke session
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved. Tom explained that moving the meeting day to late in the month makes presenting the bank reconciliation moot. The reconciliation report is available to anyone requesting.
Membership Update: VVA – 444, AVVA – 191
Old Business: Briefly ran through donation allocations between VVA and AVVA.
New Business:
- Doc H presented donation(s) from the Gearheads car club in the amount of $802.
- Dave Loomis reported that VFW 1585 will not complete construction until after the turn of the year. So we still have to wait for breakfast to resume.
Rosemarie conducted a “guess who” contest of Vietnam pictures. All those presented went unidentified. I guess we’ve changed in the last sixty or so years. Those in the photos were presented with certificates.
50/50 Raffle: Won by Donna T.
Donations: $138.00
Good of the Order: Leftover yarn bring to Eileen Stehr for vet lap blankets. Used ink cartridges to Rosemarie Loomis.Motion to Adjourn: 18:57
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