Vietnam Veterans Of America

Gary Lysne received a Letter of Commendation from the Whatcom County Council and the Whatcom County Executive for his many years of service in assisting veterans. The chapter is proud of Gary’s work in not only assisting all veterans but his years of active service benefiting the local chapter and the Washington State Council. The Letter of Commendation follows.

The 6th Annual VVA Car Show will be held Sunday, July 24th between 10am and 2pm at Sunset Square Shopping Center in Bellingham. The center is at the intersection of Orleans and Sunset and  the show will be between the K-Mart and Office Max. Vehicle preregistration is available. Registration on site begins at 7am.

Everyone is invited and all spectators are free. There will be music, food, memorabilia sales, raffles and trophies for the best cars, motorcycle and truck. All proceeds support Whatcom County veterans. Bring the family and spend a fun day together.

For more information please contact Tom Modica at (360) 738-3842 or 175rrvn@gmail.com.  Or, contact Dale Boe (360)739-2969 or thaihouse187@yahoo.com.

For the last thirteen years Bellingham, Washington, Chapter 165 has presented three $500 scholarships annually to deserving veterans in college. This year the chapter decided to make a big change to ensure the continuance of the scholarship program: the creation of a $36,000 endowment at Bellingham Technical College called the Chapter Legacy Scholarship Fund. Former Chapter Presidents Bill Bowen and Gary Lysne and Scholarship Committee member Kirk Lyon presented the check to Peter Donovan of the BTC Foundation on February 12, 2016. The chapter, which has grown in two years from 117 to 280 members, retains control over the scholarship criteria.

Minutes of Meeting 5 April 2016

General Meeting called to order at: 6:15 by President Gene Goldsmith

Pledge of Allegiance: Gene Goldsmith

Invocation by: Gene Goldsmith

Moment of silence for POW/MIA

Roll Call of officers:

Gene Goldsmith, Pres                    present

Dave Loomis, VP                             present

Gary Lysne, 2^nd V.P.                       present

Bill Cox, Secretary                           present

Ken Richardson, Treasurer           present

Tom Darling, B of D                        absent

Richard Martinez, B of D               absent

John Bradshaw, B of D                   absent

Tom Modica, B of D                         absent

Greg Bremer, B of D                        present

Tom Grinstad, Asst. Secy.              present

President Gene took a moment to recognize that we had a room full of guests and everyone present introduced themselves. Then it was dinner time. According to the count by Yvonne there were 67 members, wives and guests in attendance. At approximately 7:25 the business meeting began.

New members present: Two new members – did not get their names

Secretary’s March minutes published on line. Moved to approve Ed S 2^nd by Lonnie r.

Treasurer’s year-end report Ken went briefly through the printouts, reported taxes done and accepted by IRS. Motion to approve by Bill W, 2^nd by Curt.

Membership Update: stands at 275

Old Business:

1. Discussion about representation at State. Call for volunteers to stand for WSAC officers/board. No one stepped up. A question by Randy T. is there value in having chapter exposure at state. Decided that Gene G, David L, and Bill Bowen will attend State meeting on the 23^rd. Official delegates for state are: Goldsmith, Lysne, Loomis, Cox, Bowen, Elmore, Rose, Richardson, Scattum, Pettigrew, alternates: George Douglas, Richard Wilson, Bill Wilcox.
2. Car Show – neither Tom Modica nor Dale Boe present so no update.
3. Memorial Day – shaping up nicely. Lisa Kirk Brown to be featured speaker. Jim Nylands will do benediction. Two cakes approved to buy at Haggen’s and the beans come from Kelly’s O’deli.

New Business:

1. 31 names added to e-mail list thus far.
2. Receipt acknowledged of donation by the Rickenbackers in the amount of $2,400.00. Bill Cox will write the thank you letter.

Next meeting is, 3 May 2016.

Good of the Order:

1. Check VFW calendar Bobby doing piano bar
2. WW1 event at Lynden Museum 23 April
3. DAV van Winfred Mack retired the VA has found a full-time employee to do the scheduling and driving…
4. There will be a meet and greet with Elizabeth Scott running to replace Susan Del Bene. (How to remove incumbents.) Gene and Yvonne are hosting at Lairmont Manor April 21^st 5:30 to 7:30
5. Cards saying “thank you for your service” from Lynden Middle School, Jeff Seaholm instructor. All the cards should have found a home with someone.
6. Richard will present photos of the 7^th annual Chocolate Day in Vietnam next meeting.

Motion to adjourn: by Ken Richardson at approximately 8:00 pm.