Vietnam Veterans Of America

General Meeting called to order at @ 6:45 PM by President Gene Goldsmith

Pledge of Allegiance

Invocation by Lonnie Rose

Moment of silence for POW/MIA

Roll Call of officers                                                                 Term Expires

Gene Goldsmith, Pres.                    Present

Dave Loomis, VP                             Present

Doug Spangler, 2^nd VP                    Absent

Tom Grinstad, Secretary                 Excused

Bill Cox, Asst. Sec.                            Present

Ken Richardson, Treasurer             Present

Tom Marich, B of D                         Absent                 2020

Kirk Lyon, B of D                              Present                2019

Larry Martin, B of D                         Absent                 2020

Peter Pavlik, B of D                         Absent                 2019

Tom Modica, B of D                        Present                2018

David Osinski, B of D                      Absent                 2018

Guests and their acknowledgement

Rosemarie Loomis

Melinda Quayle

Agnes Kenny

Dorothy Rood

Jim Smith

New members present and their acknowledgement

Howard Quayle

Secretary’s July minutes were reviewed prior to the meeting by the membership. The minutes are also posted on the chapter website, VVA165.org. Minutes were approved as drafted.

Treasurer’s August report was read by Ken Richardson. Discussion and questions followed. The report was approved as read.

Membership Update was given by Gene Goldsmith. The chapter currently has 279 members. There are 7 Auxiliary VVA members. Both totals are as of July 31, 2017.

Old Business

The Car Show was discussed. The Gearheads made a $500 donation. The Antique Truck Association has discussed making a $500 donation. Thanks were given to the Car Show Committee and to all of the volunteers for making this a successful event. The chapter made approximately $10,500 in profit from the show. Ken Richardson mentioned that next year he can probably get 10 to 12 Starbucks employees to work as volunteers at the show. Several thank you letters were read and Barkley Village wants us back next year and a tentative date has been set. There were 260 cars registered this year. Bill Bowen will look into the design and cost of acquiring a new VVA165 banner that can be placed over Victory Lane and be used for other chapter events. Ken Richardson mentioned that next year the Car Show Committee should prepare a budget and get approval of that budget from the chapter before any expenses are incurred.

A Plaque for Gary Lysne was shown to the membership. It is a plaque which commemorates the dedication of the new service office in Gary’s name and remembrance.

The Welcome Home Picnic was discussed by Gene Goldsmith. It was well attended and fun was had by all.

New Business

The VVA National Convention in Spokane in 2018 was discussed. Prior chapter approval set aside $4,000 of car show funds to support our chapter attendance at the convention. Funds will be set aside for that purpose. Motion made, seconded and passed.

Children of Vietnam Funding was discussed. $715 was allocated to support 5 children’s scholarships for the coming year. Motion made, seconded and passed.

A VVA165 Plaque from National was shown to the membership. It was a plaque honoring the chapter with the “National Membership Growth Award” for 2016. Thanks were given to the appropriate chapter members for their letter writing campaign.

The Silent Auction Winners were announced among the bidding chapter members. These auctioned items were undistributed car show items that needed to be auctioned.

The BTC Scholarship Breakfast was discussed by Gene Goldsmith. Kirk Lyon, Dave Loomis, Bill Bowen and one member to be determined will attend and represent the chapter. It will be held October 5, 2017 at 7:30 AM. See Kirk if you want to attend. The plaques commemorating Gary Lysne and Chiyoko Harada Radke are now up. Kirk requested that he be notified sooner on correspondence from BTC.

A Policy Statement was made by Gene Goldsmith regarding chapter purchases and donations to the chapter. One, only Gene approves and disburses money from the service account subject to the review and recommendations of the chapter officers and board. Two, no one can order items for the chapter without the approval of an officer. Three, VVA165 is a 501 (c) 3 corporation which means that donations to the chapter are tax deductible by the donor. Therefore, to protect that tax deductibility all donations must run through our accounts.

The Growing Veterans organization was discussed by Mike Hackett. They have two farms and they grow food to sell benefiting veterans. They also try to foster veteran fellowship. All chapter members are invited to visit the farms.

DAV and Chapter Volunteers are needed for Veterans Day signup. Gene Goldsmith passed out signup sheets. Volunteers will have booths in front of three Haggen stores this year.

Next meeting is October 3, 2017.  Dinner will begin at 6 PM with the meeting at 7 PM. Spouses and guests are invited. Dave Loomis will fill in for Gene Goldsmith.

Good of the Order

First, Gene Goldsmith reminded the members to check their VFW monthly calendar for upcoming events.

Second, Gene Goldsmith requested that members consider volunteering to be drivers for the DAV van.

Third, Gene Goldsmith has VVA business cards and VVA membership applications to give out to members who may need them for recruitment or for other chapter business.

Fourth, Gene Goldsmith reminded the membership of the monthly breakfast the third Saturday of the month at Post 9301.

Motion to adjourn meeting at @ 7:50 PM. Motion seconded and passed. The meeting was adjourned by Gene Goldsmith.

some patriotic car

The VVA Chapter 165 held its annual car show on 23 July, 2017 at the Barkley Center north parking lot. The weather in the morning was marine cloudiness overcast, which is great for the cars. Gradually it burned off to a sparkling day. There were well over 250 cars exhibited (the actual count was 275) and so many members of the public that no one could get an accurate count. No matter what your preference for movable iron, there were several on exhibit.

First, second and third place awards were given for vehicles prior to 1930, the decades of the ‘30s, ‘40s, ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s and 1980 to present.

The winner of the People’s Choice Award was … (drum roll please)…the ’67 Chevelle owned by Ron Berg. This great car also took home the first place awards for the ‘60’s decade as well as the Vietnam Era.

This was a great show and you all should have been there.

just a stroll down gasoline alley

Tom Modica & his car

boat-tail anyone

the green contingent

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

Pledge of Allegiance by: Gene Goldsmith

Invocation by: Gene Goldsmith

Moment of silence for POW/MIA

Roll Call of officers:                                                                    term expires

Gene Goldsmith, Pres                                         Present      2018

Dave Loomis, VP                                                Present      2018

Doug Spangler                                                    Absent       2018

Tom Grinstad, Secretary                                    Present      2018

Bill Cox, Asst. Sec.                                               Present      2018

Ken Richardson, Treasurer                                Present      2018

Tom Marich, B of D                                            Present      2020

Larry D. Martin, B of D                                       Absent       2020

Kirk Lyon, B of D                                                 Excused      2019

Peter Pavlik, B of D                                             Absent       2019

David Osinski, B of D                                          Absent       2019

Tom Modica, B of D                                           Present      2018

Doug Spangler, B of D                                        Present      2018

Guests:      Rosemarie Loomis, Nancy Blackketter, Dorothy Rood, Connie Marich, Lonnie Shere (Chpt. 1109), Kerry Painter (Chpt. 1109)

New members present: Robert (Bob) Hines

Secretary’s report:      Moved Ken R., 2^nd Randy E. approved

Treasurer’s report:      Moved Dave L., 2nd Bill C, approved

Membership Update: The latest roster shows 281 members and 7 AVVA members

Old Business:     

1. Car show update. We will need +/- 30 volunteers to pull this off. There is a pressing need for registration tables, set up & take down, raffle sales, virtually anything you can think of. Please contact Tom Modica prior to the date so he can update his work list. There will be a rehearsal at the Barkley parking lot on Tuesday July 18 at 18:00 (6:00 pm) to go through the intricacies of registration, car parking etc. On Saturday 22 July we need folks to load pickups with the tables, chairs etc. Pick up at the VFW at 18:00 (still 6:00 pm). On the day of the car show 23 July please show up at 7:00 a.m. to help set up and gear up for the greatest show on earth. Well at least the greatest show at 2200 Rimland Drive on that day. Worker bees please park your cars in the gravel lot near Zodiac, across Woburn, to allow for attendees to park near the show. We will verify with the Talbot Co. this lot will be available.
2. Remember on august 5^th the Skagit Chapter, VVA 1109, already the 2^nd largest in the state – behind you know who – hosts a welcome home potluck picnic from 11:00 to 15:00 (3pm). The location is 6254 Fruitdale North in Sedro. Access from Hwy 9. Look it up on your recon maps.

New Business:

1. The chapter has provided Carhart pants and a shirt for Veteran K.C. Dilliard to be able to work a job at Janiki. Mr. Dilliard has had a string of bad luck and needed a boost.

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Good of the order:

1. Remember to check your VFW calendar. Check out the Memorial Day events.
2. Please take some VVA business cards and carry an application form – just in case… They are available from Gene Goldsmith
3. The DAV is looking for drivers.
4. A big welcome back was offered to Jim Pace.
5. VFW Post 9301 has breakfast this Saturday.
6. 50/50 raffle winner was Rosie Loomis

Motion to adjourn: at 19:50 by Ken R, 2^nd by Ray R. by acclamation

General Meeting called to order at: 7:00 pm (19:00)

Pledge of Allegiance, Invocation and Moment of silence for POW/MIA

by: Gene Goldsmith

Roll Call of officers:                                                                    term expires

Gene Goldsmith, Pres                                        Present      2018

Dave Loomis, VP                                                Present      2018

Tom Grinstad, Secretary                                    Present      2018

Bill Cox, Asst. Sec.                                               Absent       2018

Ken Richardson, Treasurer                                Present      2018

David Scattum, B of D                                       Absent       2018

Bill Wilcox, B of D                                               Present      2018

Kirk Lyon, B of D                                                 Present      2019

Richard Martinez, B of D                                    Absent       2019

John Bradshaw, B of D                                      Present      2018

Tom Modica, B of D                                           Present      2018

Greg Bremer, B of D                                           Present      2017

Guests:      Rosemarie Loomis, Agnes Kenney, Nancy Blackketter

New members present: Soon to be a member BK Blackketter

Secretary’s report:      Motion  Ray R, 2^nd Dave L, approved

Treasurer’s report:      Motion Dave L, 2nd Gary P, approved

Membership Update: Increase of 3 to show 281 members and 7 AVVA members

Old Business:     

1. Memorial Day May 29^th a big thank you to Kirk and the crew. We will need more help in the future. The park was not left as pristine and beautiful as it could have been. Just three or four old guys with bad tickers and backs showed up to load the evening before…
2. Car Show – The car show will be held at the Barkley Center, 2200 block of Rimland drive. Doc H. reported we have all the trophy sponsors (22). We need help in several areas – judging, set up, cleanup, parking, etc. Please be sure to sign up. Dale Boe has the food well in hand. He will pick up at the next meeting. Posters and flyers are available for distribution. Contact Doc. Randy Turnbull brought up for discussion how to extract gift cards from potential sponsors. Bill B asked about Victory Lane and stated that photos of the winning entries for their owners and trophy sponsors make for good PR.
3. The VVA 2019 convention is set for July 22-30 at the Grand Hotel and Doubletree in Spokane. In our March 2016 meeting the chapter voted to find a delegate to this convention.
4. The Welcome Home Picnic sponsored by the Skagit Chapter is on August 5, at 6254 Fruitdale North, Sedro-Woolley. Help support those guys.

New Business:

1. All attending elected officers and Board Members took the oath of office.
2. A short discussion about holding a Hep C meeting for the chapter ensued. Decision that the informational meeting was not needed, since they were looking for at least 50 attendees.
3. A request to help a USMC Vietnam Era veteran pay a PSE bill of $292.49 (split between the chapter and DAV). Motion by Dave L 2^nd by Doug S approved.
4. We have a published author in the chapter. Read Richard Brummett’s article in the Vietnam Veteran. It has already brought in a new kids sponsor (5). And Richard donated his pay for the article to the cause.
5. Project Homeless Connect happens 21 July. Donations of sleeping bags, socks etc. will be appreciated. There is a special section for veterans. If anyone would like to volunteer to assist…

Next Meeting: Because no one will want to meet on the nation’s birthday (July 4^th, remember) the next meeting is on July 11^th. Dinner at 6:00, meeting at 7:00. There will be organization of the car show and other fun stuff. Show up!!!

Good of the order:

1. Remember to check your VFW calendar. Check out the Memorial Day events.
2. Please take some VVA business cards and carry an application form – just in case…
3. the DAV needs drivers for the van to make the runs to/from Seattle. Any good driver is sought.
4. The VFW post is holding a brat dinner this Friday. Check with the post for the time.
5. There will be a Vietnam Day at the museum Paine Field On 23 September. A lot of the weaponry used in the war will be on display.
6. The 50/50 raffle winner was Doug Spangler.

Motion to adjourn: by acclamation