OPENING CEREMONIES: Commander Doty called the meeting to order at 1000 hours, 9 FEB.  Opening ceremonies were held according to VFW Ritual. Twenty Post 11447 members were present and two visitors.   

ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS:The Roll Call was taken by Adjutant Burnett.  The following officers Surgeon Storment, Chaplain Alvarado, Advocate Correll and Service Officer Gerken were excused.

NEW RECRUITS: None

DISTINGUISHED GUESTS: Frank Chupko, Commander Post 10122 Fanwood, New Jersey was introduced. Cdr Chupko has visited the post before as he comes here for the annual Beach Bash. He is on his 9th term as Post Commander and has been District Commander two times.

MINUTES: Commander asked if the minutes from the previous meeting had been posted.  The minutes were posted and sent to all members with an e-mail address on file. The Adjutant made the motion to accept the minutes as written, seconded by Comrade Best, motion carried.

QUARTERMASTER REPORT: Commander called for the report of the Quartermaster: QM Burnett presented the report and made the motion to accept the report as presented, seconded by Comrade Koeppen, motion carried. The audit was conducted on 9 FEB.  The report is on file, if anyone wants to see the entire report, contact the QM.

SERVICE OFFICER REPORT: NTR

SURGEON'S REPORT: NTR

COMRADE OR FAMILY MEMBER IN DISTRESS: Ken Brower while able to make today’s meeting is not in good health, requires assistance getting around. Comrade John T. Brady is confined to house. Charlie Burns has been discharged from the hospital and is home.

COMMANDER CALLED FOR COMMITTEE REPORTS:

MEMBERSHIP REPORT: QM Burnett gave the report. We need 10 new recruits or unpaid Annual Members to renew to reach 100%.  A list of unpaid members will be sent as an attachment with the minutes.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM:The kids will probably have their annual field trip this month to Mount Samat, in Bataan Province. Mt Samat is a WWII Battle of Bataan Memorial, followed by a swim call. Costs for the trip are being paid with donations received in December.

BUDDY POPPY CHAIRMAN:Comrade Haulet reported that P710 ($16.51) has been collected at the meeting, thank you to all who donated.  Note all Peso cash is converted to U.S. dollars using P43 to $1 at this time.

WEBSITE: Updates ongoing. If anyone has photos of the Beach Bash and would like to have them put on the Website contact the QM or send them as an attachment to vfw11447@ymail.com  If there are a lot of pictures a CD is preferred.

BUILDING COMMITTEE: The Post Home is open for business, repairs/décor 99% completed. Not selling food at this time, but plan to do so the week after the bash.

BEACH BASH COMMITTEE: Status of preparations for the event is ongoing. The stage is being provided by PEPSI Corporation. Tents, space allocations are being setup. Volunteers are needed for the parade on Saturday to walk along the route and help keep the children from becoming road casualties. To date P46,500 (over $1000) has been received in donations for the event. Sponsors fees are also being collected by Chairman Atkinson. First events are starting this afternoon.

PUP TENT 11: Comrade Sullivan said that the Pup Tent will be selling Chili dogs and shaved ice at the bash. He would like some volunteers to help out, do not have to be a Cootie.

POST HOUSE COMMITTEE: PHC has not had a chance to meet yet. PHC member Best said that he has been getting suggestions in the Suggestion Box, but some are vague and he asked that all suggestions have a name and cell number so that the person making the suggestion can be contacted for further information.  Also, the Super Daily, Daily and Weekly draws are active, see the cashier for sign-up. Each Post member has a draw number assigned. A VFW Cross of Malta will be painted on the wall of the Post Home. Even though we have only been opened a few weeks, participation has been good. (Note: the front wall has been painted since the meeting, see www.vfw11447.org home page to see what had been done).

VFW NATIONAL HOME FOR CHILDREN: Commander asked Chaplain Alvarado to ask Divine blessings upon our National Home for Children.                            

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

NO UNFINISHED BUSINES

NEW BUSINESS

Adjutant Burnett read an Application for Membership in the Cooties for Richard Haulet.  Comrade Haulet has been very active in the Post the last three months, as a Beach Bash Coordinator for an event, visiting disable and sick comrades and helping with the work at the Post Home. Richard is a life member of the Post. Adjutant made a motion that the membership approved the application, seconded by Comrade Koeppen, motion carried, application will be given to the Pup Tent for consideration.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER

Comrade Haulet said that he will pay for the paint and painter to do the Cross of Malta on the outside wall.  Comrade Tom Mishenko said he knows a painter who can do the job.

RAO Director Jim Tyler let it be known through a member that he did not approve of the temporary sign on the front of the building showing what might appear to be a “drunken sailor”. The cartoon character shows a sailor in whites drinking out of a bottle, which appears to be beer. He wanted the sign removed before the end of the day.  The name of Post Home is Westpac Sailor Bar and Restaurant, we wanted Westpac Bar and Restaurant but it was already in use. We could not use any name with VFW in it as the Mayor’s Office felt that since we were a non-profit organization we could not run a bar and restaurant even though we said profits would go into our general fund for Post use. Anyway Jim Tyler said he would take a picture of it and send it to National.  The sign is only temporary and a member redid the bottle and made it Gator-aid. Two members volunteered to see Director Tyler.

Comrade Russell Spalding donated 87 toy gifts for the children participating in Beach Bash events.  Comrade “Ski” Malkovich donated his share of the 50/50 raffle to the Beach Bash also for the children; he also said that Post 4, American Legion’s Child Welfare Fund would donate P1000. Comrade “Sully” Sullivan donated P500.

Comrade Spalding has built over the years a large portrayal of the U.S. Seventh Fleet at Pearl Harbor on 7 DEC 1941.  It depicts over 100 combatants, service and other craft and over 300 aircraft made to scale.  The display will be shown at the 70th Anniversary at Pearl Harbor this year. The display may go on a national tour; Post 11447 will receive recognition while the display is open to the public.

Comrade Koeppen reminded everyone that a TRICARE representative will be in Olongapo area soon to discuss issues with representatives of several veterans’ organizations.  If you have an issue or question contact RAO and tell them.  This is a closed meeting, not open to all.  Stars and Strips will be there to report on Philippine veterans TRICARE concerns.

The Commander reminded members of the Pup Tent that a Cootie Scratch will be held within a half hour following the meeting.

CLOSING CEREMONIES: Closing Ceremonies were held according to Ritual and the meeting was adjourned at 1105 hours.  The next GMM will be held on 9 Mar at 1000 hours at the Post Home.

Official:
/S/ Dennis L Doty
Commander

/S/ Tom Burnett
Adjutant
February 18, 2011