Vietnam Veterans Of America

General Meeting called to order at: 18:45

Pledge of Allegiance by: Dave Loomis

Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Lonnie Rose

Roll Call of officers:                                                           term expires

David Loomis, Pres                                   P                 2020

Ron Wilson, VP                                         A                 2020

Tom Grinstad, Secretary / Treasurer    P                 2020

Kirk Lyon, B of D                                       A                 2020

Doug Spangler, B of D                               A                 2020

Randy Turnbull, B of D                             P                 2020

Richard Martinez, B of D                          P                 2020

George Douglas, B of D                            P                 2021

Tom Modica, B of D                                  A                 2021

Guests: Dorothy Rood

New members present: Dan Nouvelle

Secretary’s report: Motion to approve by Gene G, 2^nd & approved

Treasurer’s report:      First Car Show Income Statement presented

July Income Statement & Balance Sheet motion by Ken R. 2^nd approved

August Income St. & Bal. Sheet motion by Ken R. 2^nd & approved

Membership Update: 286 members & 31 AVVA

Old Business:     

1. Review of national convention held in Spokane in July this year by Gene G. Pres. Rowan re-elected again. No one challenged. So the status is stasis. McManus will be new treasurer. In quiet discussion will try to reinstate Jim Pace. Jim will be reinstated as Legion VSO.
2. Review (quick) of Car Show. Doc H gave breakdown of car entries. He said there are three more donations to come. Sam H. presented Bill Cook with a certificate acknowledging his contributions. A Car Show committee meeting will be held on 16 Sep. at 10:00. (unless it changes again). Date for the next Car Show is 19 July 2020. It will be the 10^th. We sure would appreciate any and all help we can get.
3. Gene G spoke about the fund-raising for the Vietnam Memorial; contact him for information to buy bricks.
4. President Dave reviewed quickly the attendance at the Chapter 1109 picnic in Sedro Wooley and the veteran’s lunch at Lairmont Manor on 20 August.

New Business:

1. Member Dan Cantrell spoke about a memorial service of the 50^th anniversary of the death of Roger Bragg in service to the country in Vietnam. The service will be at the Veteran’s Memorial at Bayview Cemetery, Sat. Sept. 7^th at 10:00. Let’s have a good showing of the membership. I apologize for the tardiness of posting. I’ll try to do better n the future…
2. Gene G. reviewed the fiscal position of the scholarship fund at BTC. Basically we have nearly $65,000.00 in funds there. He then presented three motions:

First that the chapter contributes $5,000.00 more to the fund. 2^nd & approved.

Second that the chapter directs BTC to fund four $1,000.00 scholarships for this year. 2^nd & approved.

Third that the chapter contributes $3,000.00 to the DAV van fund. 2^nd & approved.

3. Veteran’s ride & potluck at Faith Equestrian Center, 3534 Birch Bay-Lynden Road this Sat. Sept. 7 from 17:00-20:00 (5pm – 8pm).
4. VFW Post 1585 hosts the 3^rd annual Kenny Paine memorial pig roast at the post on 28 Sept. 18:00 (6 pm).
5. Women’s Professional Network fund raiser honors Homegrown Heroes and Growing Veterans Program  on 12 Oct. 11:00-14:00 (11am-2pm) at the Northwood Hall Casino. Questions call Krista Marie Jones 360 770 4266.
6. State Council VVA meeting on 12 Oct. from 10:00-13:00 (10 am-1pm).
7. 16 Nov. 17:00-21:00 (5-9 pm) Growing Veterans fund raiser dinner and auction. It’s a really good cause. For info call 360 445 2399.
8. I forgot to mention another memoir of Vietnam by veterans. The website is here:  longbinhdaze.com

50/50 Raffle Won by Rosie (again). $21 to the kitty.

Good of the Order:

21 Sept 8:00-11:00 breakfast at VFW Post 9301 7011 Hannegan Road.

29 Sept. 8:00-10:00 breakfast at VFW Post 1585, 625 N. State Street.

Motion to adjourn: came at 19:30. Dismissed

On 21 July, 2019 nearly 400 machines reflected the bright sun at our chapter’s ninth annual car show. People were waiting at 7:00 in the morning to register, demonstrating the popularity of the event. This show is a little different than the “normal” car show. The vehicles are classified by decades manufactured and whether the car, truck or motorcycle was built in the Vietnam War years. There are sub-categories (truck, foreign, etc.) the vehicles are placed in. Of course, there are first, second and third place for each category. There is also a people’s choice award selected by the public by ballot. A few of the entries are shown.

Minutes of 2 July 2019

General Meeting called to order at: 18:55 (6:55 pm) by President Dave

Pledge of Allegiance by: Dave Loomis

Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Lonnie Rose

Roll Call of officers:                                                           term expires

David Loomis, Pres                                     P                 2020

Ron Wilson, VP                                             P                 2020

Tom Grinstad, Secretary / Treasurer       P                 2020

Kirk Lyon, B of D                                           A                 2020

Doug Spangler, B of D                                  A                 2020

Randy Turnbull, B of D                                P                 2020

Richard Martinez, B of D                             A                 2020

George Douglas, B of D                                 P                 2021

Tom Modica, B of D                                       P                 2021

Guests: Mike Fleming, David Brink, Paul & Barbara Ingram

New members present: Malcolm Oliver AVVA new member,

Secretary’s report: Short and sweet as usual. Moved, seconded and approved.

Treasurer’s report:      Moved, seconded and approved

Membership Update: Now have 286 members and 31 AVVA members

Old Business:     

1. National convention is July 16 – 20. We have six delegates attending along with Jim Pace.
2. 2. Car Show update. We still need volunteers to man the registration tables, to help direct traffic, to flog raffle tickets, and other jobs too humorous to mention.  We have only 18 volunteers from the membership.

If you know of some business that could make a donation of a product or service, or just a cash donation, don’t be afraid to hit them up. They will receive a 501 C19 certificate for tax purposes and perhaps increased customer traffic (and income) to their business.

New Business:

1. Blaine has its small town cool parade on July 4^th. The parade starts at noon at Peace Portal and H Street. There is a street fair, live music, a car show and later – fireworks over the bay.
2.  There is no meeting in August. The next meeting will be 3 September at the usual time and place. Got that? No meeting in August.
3.  The Skagit chapter hosts a VVA picnic on 3 August 11:00 to 15:00 at 6254 Fruitdale Road, Sedro Wooley. For further information contact Andy Mitchelle 360 770 0545.
4.  VFW Post 1585 puts on the third Kenny Payne Pig Roast at 18:00 (6:00 pm) on September 28. Be there or be square.
5. On 12 October the Annual Women’s Professional Network honors the Homegrown Heroes and Growing Veterans programs. The event starts at 11:00 and lasts until about 14:00 (2:00). These two programs really help vets. Go support this.
6. National reminds us to not wear any POLITICAL hats, pins, tee shirts etc. to the chapter meetings.

Remember that Melvin Brewing is donating a portion of their $3 pints to the chapter. Go out there and support the chapter by drinking a few. The donation lasts from 30 June to 13 July.

Ron Wilson, veep, won the raffle at $25.

Malcolm led us in a rendition of God Bless America.

Benediction by Chaplain Lonnie Rose

Good of the Order:

Ferndale on the 4^th will have a flag display on the main streets, put up by the Kiwanis. On the four corners of intersections will be POW/MIA flags.

VFW Post 9301 hosts breakfast from 8:00 to 11:00 on 20 July.

VFW Post 1585 has their breakfast on 28 July 8:00 to 10:00.

Dinner donations resulted in $171.

Motion to adjourn: came at 19:40. Dismissed

General Meeting called to order at @ 6:45 PM by President Dave Loomis

Pledge of Allegiance

Invocation by Lonnie Rose

Moment of silence for POW/MIA

Roll Call of officers                                                                 Term Expires

Dave Loomis, Pres.                          Present                2020

Ron Wilson, VP                                Present                2020

Tom Grinstad, Secretary/

Treasurer                                           Excused                2020

Kirk Lyon, B of D                              Present                2020

Doug Spangler, B of D                     Absent                 2020

Randy Turnbull, B of D                   Present                2020

Richard Martinez, B of D                Absent                 2020

George Douglas, B of D                   Present                2021

Tom Modica, B of D                        Present                2021

Guests and their acknowledgement

Larry Evans – Wells Fargo Bank

Karen Marie Jones – Wells Fargo Bank

New members present and their acknowledgement

Mike Perkowski – Marines

Craig Convery – Army

Sal Vacca – Navy

Steve Blackburn – Army

Secretary’s May minutes are posted on the chapter website, VVA165.org. Minutes were approved as drafted.

Treasurer’s May report was read by Bill Cox. Discussion and questions followed. The report was approved as read.

Membership Update was provided by Dave Loomis. The chapter currently has 281 members. There are 27 Auxiliary VVA members.

Old Business

The Memorial Day Parade was on Saturday, May 25 and was very successful despite the rain. Five members of the Coast Guard volunteered to assist with the parade. Thanks to all who participated and helped.

The Memorial Day Service on May 27^th was a very moving event. There was the Greenacres Festival of Flags and the Vietnam War Memorial Dedication. Special thanks to Dave and Rose Loomis for their work at this event. Gary Turnbull discussed helping with event set up in the future and thereby encouraging other veterans groups to assist in our events. Doc Holliday discussed that the garbage collection should be improved.

Melvins Brewing will donate proceeds from their $3 pints from June 30 to July 13 to the VVA Chapter 165 fund raising program per Tom Modica.

The Vietnam Veterans National Convention will be held July 16 through July 20 in Spokane, Washington.

The Car Show will be on Sunday July 21. An update was discussed by committee members. Anyone who wants to help can sign up with Doc Holliday. Still need volunteers. A signup sheet was circulated. Sam Houston discussed a rehearsal meeting at the car show site Tuesday July 16 at 6PM. Parking procedures, distributing parking vests and registration will be reviewed. Dave Loomis indicated that the Coast Guard is offering to assist. On Saturday July 20 a meeting is tentatively scheduled at 5PM at the VFW to pick up tables and chairs etc. Details of this meeting will be provided at the next chapter meeting. Dale Boe will do the cooking and needs volunteers to assist him. Tom Modica will check with Starbucks about them providing volunteers. Doc Holliday thanked the trophy sponsors, mentioned that we needed more judges and handed out posters to be distributed by the membership. Ask for donations when you give out posters. It was noted that we probably need 10 to 12 parking attendants. Ken Carlson noted that we probably need 10 judges.

Guests Larry Evans and Karen Marie Jones were introduced. Larry discussed the local and national programs Wells Fargo has to support veterans. They included first, real estate properties donated to veterans. Second, they offer scholarships to disabled veterans. Third, the bank has a special veteran hiring program. Fourth, they offer programs for disabled vets. Larry mentioned that we are free to call him if we need anything at Wells Fargo.

Karen Marie Jones discussed her Vietnam connection. A child was born in Vietnam with the father being a GI and the mother being a Vietnamese woman who was subsequently killed in the war. The child was moved to the United States and sponsored by a U.S. church. Karen later married this son of a soldier and a Vietnamese woman. Her husband and Karen had a son named Nickolas who as an adult joined the Navy. He unfortunately was later killed in a car crash. Krista also discussed a Wells Fargo program with which she is involved. It is a fundraiser on October 12 for the organization Growing Veterans. Growing Veterans grows food for veterans and provides counseling for veterans.

New Business

A Pot Luck Party on Saturday, June 8 was discussed by Dave Loomis. This is to honor the Coast Guard that has assisted our chapter in the past. It will be held at 619 Darby Drive in Bellingham from 11AM until whenever. Everyone is invited to Dave’s party.

On Flag Day which is Saturday June 14 please display your flags. VFW Post 1585 will have a shrimp or chicken dinner at 6PM for $10. The address is 625 N. State St. in Bellingham. Bring your friends and have some fun.

San Juan Cruises will have a two hour cruise on the Victoria Star around Bellingham Bay on Monday June 24. This will be to honor those in the military who have been lost. Light refreshments will be served and drinks will be available for purchase. Tickets cost $50 per person. Call Joan Wyatt at (360) 739-1540 or register at htt//a/zsociety.org/event/3rdannualcruise-for-acause.

Ray Radke’s 90^th birthday party will be on Friday June 28. Everyone is invited. It will be held at the VFW Post 1585 at 625 N. State St. in Bellingham from 5PM to 8PM. Ray said no gifts.

Raffle Ticket Drawing was conducted by George Douglas. The chapter received $51. Also, the chapter collected $113 for dinner.

Good of the Order

First, on Saturday June 8 VFW Post 1585 at 625 N. State St. in Bellingham will host a Boy Scouts Pancake Breakfast Fund Raiser from 8AM until noon.

Second, on Saturday June 15 VFW Post 9031 at 7011 Hannegan Road in Lynden will host a breakfast from 8 to 11AM. Adults are $7 and children 5 and younger are free.

Third, on Sunday June 30 VFW Post 1585 at 625 N. State St. in Bellingham will host a breakfast from 8 until 10AM.

Fourth, Ken Richardson introduced a motion to donate $400 for the chapter to buy bus passes for veterans who live in veteran assisted housing. Motion seconded and passed.

Fifth, Ken Richardson thanked everyone for the Greenacres Memorial Day Service. Greenacres is owned by the Allied Veterans Council. The purchase of memorial bricks for $125 was also encouraged.

Sixth, Dave Loomis was wished a happy 68^th birthday by all.

Benediction was conducted by Chaplain Lonnie Rose. He discussed that the VVA embraces all religions. Additionally, the role of the chaplain was reviewed. Finally, Lonnie is a minister and counselor and he is available for counseling to all members.

Next meeting is July 2, 2019.  Dinner will begin at 6 PM with the meeting at 7 PM. Spouses and guests are invited.

Motion to adjourn meeting at @ 7:35 PM. Motion seconded and passed. The meeting was adjourned by Dave Loomis.

General Meeting called to order at: 18:45

Pledge of Allegiance by: Dave Loomis

Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Lonnie Rose

Roll Call of officers:                                                           term expires

David Loomis, Pres                                           P                 2020

Ron Wilson, VP                                                  P                 2020

Tom Grinstad, Secretary / Treasurer            P                 2020

Kirk Lyon, B of D                                               P                 2020

Doug Spangler, B of D                                      P                 2020

Randy Turnbull, B of D                                    P                 2020

Richard Martinez, B of D                                 P                 2020

George Douglas, B of D                                    P                 2021

Tom Modica, B of D                                          P                 2021

Guests: Ken & Darlene Carlson, Curtis & Carolyn Hull, Virginia Crawford, Patrice Rozinski – AVVA, Phil Carroll Marine Corps League

New members present: Paul Olson, 173^rd Airborne ’68 soon to be a member.

Secretary’s report: Short and sweet as usual. Moved, seconded and approved.

Treasurer’s report:      Balance sheet & Income statement moved & approved

Old Business:     

1. Bottle Auction proceeds amounted to $1,410.00
2. Discussion regarding the Memorial Day Parade, who will ride in Ron Wilson’s modified deuce-and-a-half. Who will march with the chapter banner, what clothing is appropriate, (jungle fatigues – if they still fit are ok). Phil Carroll asked for volunteers to be parade marshals who walk along to keep things moving and also for folks to help stage and start the parade. Call john Ferdon 360-318-7521 or Randy Turnbull 360-647-9361.
3. On Memorial Day, 27 May, Greenacres will hold the Festival of Flags. The dedication of the Vietnam memorial will be held about 2:00 p.m. (14:00). Any and all Vietnam vets, that means you, are encouraged to march behind the banner in full regalia (if you have it). The unveiling of the VN Memorial will be done by Gene and Yvonne Goldsmith.

Food will be available beginning at noon.

Volunteers are needed to put up the flags in the morning, and to take them down at the end of the day, Memorial Day. To volunteer call Jody Johnson at 360-318-6918. An incentive breakfast is offered to the volunteers.

4. There was a short presentation from the Car Show committee. We are looking for trophy sponsors, just plain sponsors raffle prize donations, and just plain cash (or check) donations. The publicity should get going after Memorial Day. We need folks to distribute flyers and posters. Talk up the show to friends, neighbors, associates, and any other clubs you belong to…

Prexy Dave Loomis appointed Ken Carlson to the car show committee. Congrats (?)

5. The Vietnam Veterans of America national convention is happening in Spokane on 16 July to 20 July. Our chapter has six delegates attending, based on the membership numbers. Jim Pace will be attending not as a delegate but as a past chapter president. The delegate checks were distributed during the meeting.

New Business:

1. On 11 May a veterans horse ride and potluck will occur at 3545 Birch Bay – Lynden Road from 17:00 (5:00 p.m.) to 20:00 (8:00 p.m.) this event is free for all veterans. There will be a special speaker. It is the last scheduled ride this spring.
2. Something new – a 2-hour Bellingham Bay cruise on the Victory Star to honor those we have lost. Hors d’oeuvres served and drinks available for purchase. The cruise tickets cost $59 / person. There is a limited number of tickets. Call Joan Wyatt 360-739-1540 or 360-671-3316. Register at https://alzsociety.org/event/3rd annual cruise-for-a-cause. Boarding time is 18:15 (6:15 p.m.) at the ferry terminal 355 Harris Ave.
3. The commemorative silver dollar coin donated by either SAL or the riders from the Legion was auctioned off after frenetic bidding to Curtis Hull for $200.
4. Melvin Brewing has adopted the chapter and will donate proceeds from their $3 pints purchased 30 June to 13 July. It is unclear if these special pints are available on the weekend only. We will have the facts by the next chapter meeting.

Good of the Order:

1. VFW 9301 breakfast on 18 May 8:00 to 11:00
2. VFW 1585 breakfast on 26 May 8:00 to 10:00
3. Emergency button information available at the counter, or talk to Gene G. The VA will pay or reimburse no monthly fee.
4. there are four seats left on the bus to the Museum of Flight for the honoring of Stan Zemont. Call Gene G if you’re interested.
5. Randy E started a rather spirited (if I may use that term) discussion regarding the invocations and benedictions. It was soon decided that it was not an appropriate forum for such a discussion. Referred to the board. Prexy Dave has instructed the chaplain to stick to what is approved in the chaplain’s handbook.

The Chaplain read the benediction.

Meeting was adjourned at 19:28 (7:28).