Minutes of 7 March 2023
General Meeting called to order at: 18:20 (6:20pm) by Interim President Richard Carpenter
Pledge of Allegiance by: David Loomis
Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Chaplain Lonnie Rose
Roll Call of officers: Richard Carpenter, Donna Trecker, Tom Grinstad, David Loomis, Sam Houston, Ray Radke, Chuck Muggy, Doc Holliday
Guests: No guests introduced
New members present: Larry Shrerrer – helicopter pilot, John Rafter -Army I did not get MOS
Secretary’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Membership Update: Loomis stated 385 VVA and 104 AVVA members
Old Business:
1. 1 March 2023 the chapter held a special meeting to elect Interim President Richard Carpenter and Interim Vice President Donna Trecker. They will preside over this meeting and the election.
New Business:
1. Officer nominations: Richard Carpenter – President, Donna Trecker – Vice President, Tom Grinstad – Secretary/treasurer. Elected unanimously for a two-year term.
2. Board of Director nominations: David Loomis, Lonnie Rose, Doc Holliday, Sam Houston, Dan Norvell. All elected unanimously for a two-year term.
3. Glinda Sinclair gave a short presentation on the PACT Act. She urged all veterans to apply for services. The act expands the veterans’ benefits. There is now a presumption of conditions. To apply the only documents you need is a doctor’s diagnosis and your DD214. There is nothing to lose. Glinda repeatedly urged us all to apply.
4. VVA State Council President Francisco Ivarra spoke next. He corrected the agenda listing of the Council meeting which actually starts at 8:30 in the morning at the Yakima Warriors Association Building in Toppenish, WA. After the meeting is an opportunity to attend the “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans” at Sarge Hubbard Park in Yakima. This event is sponsored by the Yakima Warriors Association. More info will be distributed at the Council meeting.
Lodging is available at the Legends Casino Hotel. Reservations 1-877-726-6311, VVA code 4054. Nightly rate: $95.23. Chapter presidents and delegates will be reimbursed for Friday night only.
National VVA President Jack McManus will attend. The keynote speaker is Connie Evans, nurse from the Vietnam War.
Francisco commented on the temporary suspension of our former president, Robert Aspiras. President Ivarra went through a short chronology of events that led up to Asprias’ removal. These minutes will not go into any detail. Francisco Ivarra consulted with national counsel Patricia Harris and constitutionalist Leslie Delong to ensure the steps to take. The Washington State VVA Disciplinary Committee indicated that there was misconduct and that sanctions on Mr. Aspiras will include immediate suspension of this office and membership.
50/50 Raffle Won by: Doc Holliday $31.00
Good of the Order:
- rsvp@pnwnam.org or to 360-240-9500. Please provide name and number in party. Cost is $20, pay at door.
Motion to adjourn: by acclamation at 19:35 (7:35pm)
Special Chapter Meeting
Minutes of 1 March 2023 Meeting
Call to order by Secy/treas. Tom Grinstad @ 13:00 (1:00pm)
Attending 17 VVA members quorum assured
Tom noted he was the only chapter officer left standing, and so must run the meeting. He stated for accuracy and for the record, he will record the meeting, if there are no objections. No objections raised.
The reason for the special meeting:
- President Bob Aspiras is suspended by Washington State Council.
- Vice President Ron Wilson transferred his membership to the Sedro Wooley Chapter, leaving Grinstad as sole officer.
- Need for someone to run next regular chapter meeting, which is the elections meeting.
- Have a volunteer for interim president position Richard Carpenter member number 1382491
- Volunteer for interim vice president position Donna Trecker no. 1398377.
Motion to elect interim president Carpenter and vice president Trecker by David Loomis, second by Ray Radke, carried unanimously.
Ben Brown asked that the membership be apprised of the reason(s) for the suspension and departure. Tom assured all that as soon as we have official notice of the reasons they will be forwarded to the membership.
State delegates selected are Charles Muggy and Lonnie Rose. They will attend the next state council meeting in April in Toppenish.
Ray offered a draft contract for the placement of the chapter’s conex storage container on his property. Discussion followed; he will present a final version for signature at the March chapter meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 13:16 (1:16pm)
Minutes of 7 February 2023
General Meeting called to order at: 18:00 by President Bob Aspiras
Pledge of Allegiance by: Malcolm Oliver
Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Bob Aspiras
Roll Call of officers: term expires
Robert Aspiras, Pres P 2023
Ron Wilson, VP P 2023
Tom Grinstad, Secretary / Treasurer P 2023
David Loomis, B of D P 2023
Randy Turnbull, B of D A 2023
Sam Houston, B of D P 2023
Raymond Radke, B of D P 2023
Larry Montgomery, B of D P 2023
Charles Muggy, B of D P 2023
Duane Holliday, B of D P 2023
Guests: Chuck Anderson
New members present: Wayne Land, Chu Choi
Secretary’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Membership Update: None given this month VVA 377, AVVA 98
Old Business:
1. Malcolm Oliver gave a short report on NW Annex meeting of 04 January. David Fuentes of WA State Veterans’ Affairs is due here on 27 February for meeting.
2. Purchased storage unit will be placed at Harbor Lands property Portal Way Ferndale
3. Darlene updated progress on WA Historical Society Plaque. If the Society gets funding and plaque, then the local DAR will support.
New Business:
- Nominations and election for officers and directors occurs at March meeting. In the running:
President Bob Aspiras
Vice President Donna Trecker
Secy/Treas. Tom Grinstad
Board of Directors:
Chuck Muggy Dan Norvell
Doc Holliday Sam Houston
Ray Radke
- State Delegate Nominees:
Larry Montgomery Richard
George
3. 27 February meeting with David Puente, DAR, gold star here in Bellingham.
4. Discussion and vote to change general meeting time and day. Vote taken and the result is that we stay the same (1st Tuesday at 18:30 – dinner at 5:30 pm) 20 votes remain the same 9 votes to change.
5. 21 February PACT ACT speaker Elizabeth Witowski provides the latest info. VFW Post in Lynden at noon.
50/50 Raffle Won by: did not see who $30
Good of the Order:
Motion to adjourn: 19:10 (7:10pm)
Minutes of 3 January 2023
General Meeting called to order at: 18:15 by President Robert Aspiras. Bob remarked that he is trying to take us to a “better place” where we can leave disagreements at the door.
Pledge of Allegiance by: Prexy Bob
Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Prexy Bob
Roll Call of officers: term expires
Robert Aspiras, Pres P 2023
Ron Wilson, VP P 2023
Tom Grinstad, Secretary / Treasurer P 2023
David Loomis, B of D P 2023
Randy Turnbull, B of D A 2023
Sam Houston, B of D P 2023
Raymond Radke, B of D P 2023
Larry Montgomery, B of D P 2023
Charles Muggy, B of D P 2023
Duane Holliday, B of D P 2023
Guests: Doug & Arlene Hudson, Jesse McCully, Merlyn Mitchell, Ande Mitchelle, Bob Ferguson, Bob “The Animal” Garrison
New members present: Joe Macari
Secretary’s report: no action
Treasurer’s report: no action
Membership Update: VVA = 369, AVVA = 95
Old Business:
1. The chapter has purchased a conex box for storage to be based at Ron Wilson’s property. The purchase was made from Joe Macari (Refrigerator Conssultant) of MJS Industries in Ferndale.. We now will relinquish the rented conex and return it to Everson Mini-storage. To occur this month.
2. President Bob noted that he had been interviewed by a Senior Editor, Ian Murphy of the YGS Group in Chicago for a publication regarding, Chapter 165’s recruiting, renovation of the NW Annex, the fund-raising of the Annual Car Show and assistance to local veterans in need, including homelessness, free bus passes upon request and recovery from natural disasters. Also our chapter is involved in helping veterans acquire marketable job skills by maintaining a scholarship endowment of more than $105,000 at the Bellingham Technical College.
3. Ray Radke was in the spotlight this meeting. He recounted his early life and how he came to be in the army. It was a long and interesting tale. He retired after 30 years with the rank of sergeant major (command?).
New Business:
1. Ron Wilson presented checks of $1,000 & $500 to treasurer.
2. Francisco Ivarra, state council president, spoke on the VVA’s VSO work. Washington still leads the nation in the work of our VSOs. The state awarded the council a $240,000 grant to continue the work.
3. Pres. Ivarra presented certificates of appreciation to: Dave and Rosie Loomis, Chuck and Lelonni Muggy, Doc Holliday and Bob Aspiras. Additionally, special awards and recognition to Larry Montgomery and Ron Wilson.
4. Motion by Dave Loomis to move the meeting time and day to the first Wednesday of the month at 12:30PM. After much discussion, the proposal was tabled until next month.
5. Motion by Larry Montgomery to support this year’s Welcome Home Picnic to the amount of $1000. Seconded and approved by voice vote.
6. Motion by Doc Holliday to provide flowers to the Goldsmiths for the funeral of their son. Seconded and approved.
7. Next car show meeting is February 6th at 3PM. Next VVA meeting is Tuesday, February 7th with dinner at 5:30PM and meeting at 6:30PM.
50/50 Raffle Won by: Virginia Crawford $32
Good of the Order: Next month nominations for officers and directors. Be thinking who you would like to serve you in these capacities. Motion to adjourn: made at 19:35 (7:35 pm)
Minutes of 6 December 2022
General Meeting called to order at: 18:20 by Pres. Bob Aspiras
Pledge of Allegiance by: Malcolm Oliver
Invocation by & Moment of silence for POW/MIA by: Lonnie Rose
Roll Call of officers: term expires
Robert Aspiras, Pres P 2023
Ron Wilson, VP P 2023
Tom Grinstad, Secretary / Treasurer P 2023
David Loomis, B of D P 2023
Randy Turnbull, B of D A 2023
Sam Houston, B of D P 2023
Raymond Radke, B of D P 2023
Larry Montgomery, B of D P 2023
Charles Muggy, B of D P 2023
Duane Holliday, B of D P 2023
Guests: William Sanchez Navy veteran of ‘70s. Picked up 3 sets of astronauts. Ray and Carla Van Beek, Dorothy Rood, Karen Brown
New members present:
Secretary’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Treasurer’s report: Moved, 2nd & approved
Membership Update: New totals VVA=371, AVVA=96
Old Business:
1. State Council President Francisco Ivarra gave a short report on the 40th anniversary celebration of the Vietnam Wall. The short of it is that he felt the best talk was given by a VN nurse, who had many audience members afflicted with wet eye syndrome. She served in Chu Lai and had many memories of young guys in a nearly endless stream with missing extremities, etc. Region 8, our region was well represented and our chapter sent Bob Aspiras, Ron Wilson and Larry Montgomery. The region representatives went as a group to museums, Arlington Cemetery, Kennedy’s grave, the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and of course – the Wall.
New Business:
1. Ray Van Beek spoke of the Veterans Banner Project, which places banners of veterans at various sites in the county. A picture of the veteran and info concerning his/her service is what’s needed to produce a banner approximately 36” x 48” to be hung in approved sites. His contact info: 360 815 3255, rcvb5@aol.com
2. Doc Holliday was in the spotlight today. A smart guy who was drafted into the army, he extended to avoid Vietnam. So, guess where he deployed? Doc related a story about the Chinook taking fire, crash landing and having to splice electronics to get it flying again.
3. Bob Aspiras shared a trailer pumping the Army / Navy game to be played this Saturday.
4. Malcolm Oliver gave a short update on the progress of the annex project.
50/50 Raffle Won by: Lana Haddox $22
Good of the Order: Have a great holiday season. See you all next year. Let’s get more folks involved.
Attendance: 42 signed in tonight.
Motion to adjourn: 19:10 (7:10 pm)