What's New at Chapter 67

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Monthly Business Meeting Minutes

  Minutes of November Business Meeting

The meeting was called to order by President George Brown on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 7:45 PM at the Post Home at the Amvets Post 118. There were 14 members (11 signed in) in attendance. Absent were: Directors Wayne Barner, excused; John Mackay and Ray Stankus. The Minutes for the October Meeting were read and approved without discussion. Motion to accept Tony D'Alterio, second, Bill Gafford.

 

 

A Moment of Silence was offered for the following Deceased Veterans:

Robert W. Apple, USMC; Michael J. Hagarty, USAF; Roger C. Heatley, USN; Henry J. Huber, USA; Nelson D. Neeley, USA; Thomas G. Tolan, USN; Names of those kissed at Fort Hood November 5, 2009: Lt. Col. Juanita L. Warman; Maj. Libardo Caraveo; Capt. John P. Gaffaney; Capt. Russell Seager, Staff Sgt. Jistin Decrow; Sgt. Amy Krueger; Spc. Jason Hunt; Spc. Frederick Greene; PFC Aaron Nemelka; PFC Michael Parson; Spc. Kham Xiong; Pvt. Francheska Velez; Michael Cahill, civilian employee; and all US Troops KIA in Afghanistan and Iraq during the past month.

 

 

The following Announcements were made at the Meeting:

The next Board Meeting, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 7:30 PM at George Brown's house; and the next Business Meeting, Tuesday, December 6, 2009 at 7:30 PM at the Chapter Home at Amvets Post 118. A Christmas Party will be held by the Chapter at the Home that date.

 

Media Veterans Day Parade will take place on Wednesday, November 11, 2009. Assemble at 10:30 PM, Step off at 11:30 PM. Meet for breakfast at the Court Diner at 9:00 AM, Step off at 11:30 PM. We will need seven members for the Firing Squad.

 

 

The following Communications were received:

Letter from Scenic Hills Elementary School. The school is holding a Veterans Appreciation Breakfast on Friday, November 13, 2009 at 9:15 AM. Call Steve Burns for information.

 

Representative Adolf is to hold a Veterans Recognition Breakfast from 8 to 9:30 AM at the Paxton Hollow Country Club on Wednesday, November 11, 2009.

 

The Pennsylvania State House has passed Resolution 515 declaring that December 2, 2009 as Order of the Silver Rose Day in Pennsylvania to recognize all Pennsylvania veterans who were exposed to Agent Organge.

 

 

There was no Guest Speaker

 

 

The following State Council Report was given:

Tony D'Alterio and Bill Pyle attended the State Council Meeting on October 24 and 25, 2009. The VVA National lent $200,000.00 to the VVA fund raising organization without any written contract and is now suing to try to recover their money since the fund raising organization refused to pay it back.

The PA State Council is moving to the Ramada Inn for future meetings as it feels their facilities are better.

A motion of no confidence in the current VVA National Board was passed as a result of their $200,000.00 loan made without a written contract.

 

 

The following Committee Reports were given:

Tony D'Alterio, Agent Orange, reported on a meeting of the Agent Orange Committee at State Council . It was a round robin session. Veterans exposed to Agent Orange talked about the problems they suffered as a result of their exposure. He suggested inviting Paul Sutton to speak at a Chapter meeting as he is a major authority on Agent Orange.

 

Jim Ulmer, Education, stated that no school visits are scheduled until at least January 2010. He is hoping to pick up some new schools and some of the schools we used to visit but no longer do. He said he needs to contact Ron Jones to get the names of various school contact people.

 

Bill Gafford, Fund Raising, suggested asking for donations for poppies along the parade route in Media on November 11. We need volunteers. He also asked for ideas on Fund Raising. Lou Garay stated that the Springfield High School is selling a blanket for $40.00 as a fund raiser. It contains the various insignia and logos of the school on it. Perhaps we could do something like that. Bill Gafford stated that instead of a blanket perhaps we could do something like that with the Chapter logo on it in a rally towel or golf towel.

 

Bill Pyle, Public Affairs, stated that he received a mailing from the USAA. This is an insurance company and investment firm that deals with active duty and retired military personnel as well as honorably discharged veterans. He stated that their car insurance issues refunds if you don't have any claims in a year. Their website is USAA.com.

 

 

No Old Business was discussed at the Meeting.

 

 

No New Business was discussed at the Meeting.

 

 

The following matters were discussed in Open Discussion:

John Brown talked about the Philadelphia USO at the Philadelphia International Airport. He said they service all military personnel east of the Mississippi River, including vets returning from Iraq or Afghanistan. They are at Terminal D. They need help. Our helping them is a way of welcoming these returning veterans home.

John Brown stated that the VA Hospital in Philadelphia is taking applications for VA compensation daily from 8 AM to 4:30 PM for anyone who believes they were exposed to Agent Orange.

 

George Brown stated that a Christmas Party would be held at the December meeting at the Chapter home. There was a discussion on refreshments at the party. John Brown suggested contacting Famous Dave's to serve the party as they are famous for their food.

 

Frank Roessner stated that he donated a Chapter Tee Shirt and patch to the Captain of the USS Wayne E Meyer (DDG 108) at its commissioning at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia on October 10, 2009

 

 

 

Motion to adjourn by Wayne Lamond, second Bill Pyle.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Michael S. Kalichak, Secretary

 

Last month's minutes

 

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MINUTES OCTOBER BUSINESS MEETING

 

The meeting was called to order by President George Brown on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 7:32 PM at the Post Home at the Amvets Post 118. There were 15 members (12 signed in) in attendance. Absent was: Director John Mackay. The Minutes for the September Meeting were read and approved without discussion. Motion to accept Tony D'Alterio, second, Wayne Barner.

 

 

A Moment of Silence was offered for the following Deceased Veterans:

David C. Evans, Sr., USA; Thomas J. Heslip, Jr., USAF; Robert D. Lucas, USA; Allan R. Scott, USMC; Jordan L. Chrobot, USMC, killed in Afghanistan; and all US Troops KIA in Afghanistan and Iraq during the past month.

 

 

The following Announcements were made at the Meeting:

The next Board Meeting, Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 7:30 PM at George Brown's house; and the next Business Meeting, Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 7:30 PM at the Chapter Home at Amvets Post 118.

 

Historic Car Club of PA meet and flea market, Sunday, October 18, 2009 at the Delaware County Community College from 10 AM to 3 PM, rain or shine.

 

The next State Council Meeting will take place the weekend of October 24 and 25, 2009. Reservation deadlines at the Super 8 are October 2, 2009.

 

Media Veterans Day Parade will take place on Wednesday, November 11, 2009. Assemble at 10:30 PM, Step off at 11:30 PM.

 

 

The following Communications were received at the Meeting:

Judy Campbell is designing a coin as a fund-raising venture for the Gold Star mothers.

 

 

There was no Guest Speaker at the Meeting.

 

 

Dick Smith stated that Jeff White is recuperating slowly and that Ken Mabe is acting State Council President. The State Council Meeting will take place the weekend of October 24 and 25, 2009.

 

 

The following Committee Reports were given:

Jim Ulmer, Education, stated that we were invited to speak to a senior veterans organization: The Lehigh Valley Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. It was a very interesting day. There were many good questions as they asked all about Vietnam.

 

Jim Ulmer, Government Affairs, stated that advanced health care funding for the V.A. passed both the House and Senate and must now go to a Joint Committee. The President indicated he would sign the bill.

Anyone who has E-script should renew or they will freeze your account.

 

Frank Roessner, Product Sales, stated that he did well at the flea market that was held at the Penn State Delaware County Campus on Sunday, September 13.

 

Bill Gafford, Fund Raising, suggested asking for donations for poppies along the parade route in Media on November 11. We need volunteers.

 

Bill Pyle, Public Affairs, stated that the Historic Car Club of PA meet and flea market will take place on Sunday, October 18, 2009 at the Delaware County Community College from 10 AM to 3 PM, rain or shine. Assemble at 8 AM. Again, we need volunteers.

 

Ray Stankus, Honor Guard, stated that seven members attended the Gold Star Mother's Day service in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, September 27 and thanked them.

The Media Veterans Media Veterans Day Parade will take place on Wednesday, November 11, 2009. Meet for breakfast at the Court Diner at 9:00 AM, Step off at 11:30 PM. We will need seven members for the Firing Squad. (Ray stated the President and Treasurer will pay for breakfast at the Court Diner!).

 

 

The following Old Business was discussed:

The Newtown Township Veterans Memorial will have a ground breaking ceremony in Newtown Square on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 1 PM.

 

 

The following New Business was discussed:

Wreaths Across America will take place on Saturday, December 12, 2009. They will be transporting wreaths from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony will take place around 8 AM so we will have to leave around 5 AM.

 

On Wednesday, October 21, 2009, Amvets Post 118 will have a roast beef dinner starting at 5 PM. Amvets Post 118 will also be open after the Parade on November 11.

 

Proposal 09-002 by Jeff Elliot that the Chapter take out a full page ad in the Delaware County Veterans Council Ad Book for $65.00. Second, Tony D'Alterio. Motion passed.

 

Proposal 09-003 by Jeff Elliot that the Chapter send the President and a guest to the Veterans Day Dinner at the Towne House on November 11 for $52.00 ($26 per person). Second, Tom Clay. Motion passed.

 

 

The following matters were discussed in Open Discussion:

George Brown stated he is looking into having someone contact Ralph Galati as a possible guest speaker at a meeting and as a possible member.

 

George Brown talked about Stand Down. He stated 377 veterans were serviced over 2 days at the Philadelphia V.A. Hospital. 70 percent were new participants. This year one veteran who was a former participant served this year as a volunteer. More volunteers are needed.

Frank Roessner asked about contacting Joe Sestak for tents for Stand Down. George stated the problem is that none are available. Congressman Sestak knows all about Stand Down and does what he can behind the scenes for it. George also said that when the Stryker Brigade gets re-equipped perhaps we may get their old tents and equipment. Frank then asked about using the former Navy Yard as a site for Stand Down. George replied that phone, water, electric service must be readily available and that may not be the case at the old Navy Yard.

 

Newman University will be holding a class on the History of the Battleship for 4 Fridays starting October 23, 2009 at 1 PM.

 

Tom Clay mentioned that the Wildwood Chapter of the VVA raised $75,000.00 and is going to erect a permanent half-size replica of the Wall. They will have a dedication sometime in the Spring.

 

Motion to adjourn by Jeff Elliot, second Tom Clay.

Meeting adjourned at 9:25 PM.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Michael S. Kalichak, Secretary