OPENING CEREMONIES: Commander Doty called the meeting to order at 1000 hours, 13 July.  Opening ceremonies were held according to VFW Ritual. Sixteen Post 11447 members were present. 

ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS:The Roll Call was taken by Adjutant Burnett.  Four officers were absent, three excused and one not excused.

NEW RECRUITS: None  

DISTINGUISHED GUESTS: None

MINUTES: Commander asked if the minutes from the previous meeting had been posted.  The adjutant said that a copy of the minutes were posted on the bulletin board and sent to members via email. The minutes are also available on the website www.vfw11447.org.  No changes were made. The Adjutant made the motion to accept the minutes as written, seconded by Comrade Middleton, 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 Schaeffer, motion carried. The audit was conducted on 13 Jul.  The report is on file, if anyone wants to see the entire report, contact the QM.

SERVICE OFFICER REPORT: Commander said that he is still working on the will of deceased member Mike Pickens.  Past Seam Squirrel, Past Post House Committee Chairman and Officer of the Day Ralph "RC" Cox was buried on 6 Jul at Clark Field, Angeles City.

SURGEON'S REPORT: NTR

COMRADE OR FAMILY MEMBER IN DISTRESS: Past Commander Jim Correll had returned from the States on the 4th and went back to Manila today for more hospital consultations.  Jim Harmon is in St Luke's Hospital in Manila. Comrade Jose Alvarez is still in San Antonio, TX undergoing therapy. His wife said he may be back in Nov for a visit.

COMMANDER CALLED FOR COMMITTEE REPORTS:

MEMBERSHIP REPORT: QM Burnett gave the report. 

We lost 15 members during the VFW year 1 Jul 2010-30 Jun 2011. 14 of them were life members and it will be hard to get 100% this year. Members will have to get out and beat the bushes for new members and getting the annual members to renew.

CofA: Commander said that he has been coordinating with Wild Orchid for the upcoming convention in June of 2012. He said that one of the big concerns is the Department Convention Book; we need ads from businesses and clubs in the area.  The book is a Department wide concern and we will get advertisements from around the Pacific Area. Bob Zaher from Post 2485 will help with the layout. 

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: School has started and school supplies were distributed to the students.

BUDDY POPPY CHAIRMAN:P400 was collected at the meeting. 

WEBSITE: Finally got some good pictures of the Beach Bash and the kid's field trip, they are on the website.

BUILDING COMMITTEE: NTR

BEACH BASH COMMITTEE: NTR

PUP TENT 11: Seam Squirrel "Sully" Sullivan announced his resignation as Seam Squirrel at the Swarm. Seam Squirrel Best said that they had a good Swarm on the 2nd of July, which was followed by a social.  The Cootie Scratch was held on 7 July and nominations were taken for vacant offices of Blanket Bum and Hide Gimlet.

POST HOUSE COMMITTEE: Comrade Mike Best gave the report. See the attachment.

VFW NATIONAL HOME FOR CHILDREN: Commander asked the Chaplain to say a prayer for our National Home for Children.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

No Unfinished Business

NEW BUSINESS

Comrade Sullivan has resigned as SVC.  The JVC Richard Haulet has been moved up to SVC which leaves the office of JVC vacant.  The Commander asked for nominations for JVC. Comrade Best nominated Comrade Marshall, but he declined as he will be going to the States for several months. Comrade Best then nominated Ron Middleton.  Comrade Middleton said he would accept and he will resign as Trustee.  The Commander asked for nominations for Trustee, Comrade Best nominated Chris Schrauben who said he would accept.  The position of Surgeon has been vacated. Two members were nominated but declined due to various reasons.  Nominations for all three offices will remain open until next meeting.  Comrade Jerry Rowe said that he could not accept the position of Surgeon but would be willing to help with organizing the Medical/Dental Outreach in October with the help of the Adjutant who can prepare the letters to doctors and dentists. He would need other assistants.

The Adjutant presented to the membership an application for membership in the Military Order of the Cooties for Comrade Ron Middleton.  Comrade Middleton is a member in good standing; he is currently a Trustee and a member of the PHC.  He also helps out around the canteen and assists with the daily draws. The Adjutant made a motion for the members to approve his application for submission to the MOC for consideration at their next Scratch. Motion was voted on and approved.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER

The Commander said that he had received some concern from members about the smoking policy at the Canteen.  Commander asked for suggestions from the membership.  Lengthy discussion followed and no one actually ask for a non-smoking canteen, most, even some non-smokers were not for a non-smoking canteen, but suggested a smoking area, possibly at the table near the entrance with an exhaust fan.  Post House Committee will look at options mentioned.

The Post Home Committee (PHC) at its meeting suggested that a Canteen Manager be hired with a salary of P8000 a month. The Commander said that if anyone is interested to come to the Post with a copy of their bio data and resume. The PHC will interview all applications.

Comrade Best asked if members could help donate funds to help offset the cost of the burial for RC Cox that the Commander has incurred.  The Commander said that he paid out P35,000 for RC burial. Total cost was over P60,000 with the Cooties donating P10,000 for RC's hospital bill. The Commander has received P12,000 in assistance so far.

QM Burnett said that the 4th of July raffle was a success with 459 books being sold.   Profit from the raffle was $1965.26.  First place P15,000 was won by the QM (he bought 14 books). He donated P7500 to the Cooties Hospital Fund.  Second place was won by a Post 2485 member in Angeles City, and his winnings went to the Children's Cleft lip operation fund. Third place was won by John Corbin, a Post 11447 member living in the States who purchased his tickets via email. He donated his P5000 to the Post. Thank you to all who participated.

The Adjutant said that he had received emails from two veterans who are looking for friends that may be living in the Philippines.  Their names are Edward (Eddie) Howell and CPO Frank Taylor. If you know either of them or where they are let the Adjutant or Commander know.

The Adjutant read a list of names that National and the Post do not have a current address for. If you know the address of any of the members listed below, please contact the Adjutant. National has stopped sending their magazines:

• Darryl L. Brandt
• Christopher Colchin
• Roscoe Flora
• Kenneth Rogers
• Herb Skinner
• Gary Stookey
• George Zintak
• Tom Sturkie

Comrade Schrauben (the American Legion Post 4 Commander) said that he has the new membership cards for Legion members. The dues are still P1500. He also said that Post 4 annual POW/MIA Ceremony will be held on Friday, Sep 16.  The Commander reminded the members that the VFW is a participant in the event each year.

Comrade Russell Spalding said that the 70th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor is this December. He got permission from the FRA in San Antonio for a wall mural to be painted of the ships at Pearl during the attack using a photograph of his model ships. Comrade Spalding has a collection of WWII ship models and a large display showing the location of the ships and aircraft during the attack. See our Feb 2011 minutes for additional info on his display.

Comrade Jerry Rowe said that the Hash has a Stag social at the "Down Under Bar" on Saturday 23 Jul, 5-8PM, food, drinks and entertainment will be provided. Cost is P600

Comrade Chris Schrauben won the 50/50 raffle.  P1500 was collected. Chris donated his winnings to the Post Scholarship Fund.

CLOSING CEREMONIES: Closing Ceremonies were held according to Ritual and the meeting was adjourned at 1110 hours.  The next GMM will be held on 10 Aug at 1000 hours at the Post Home.

Official:
/S/ Dennis L Doty
Commander

/S/ Tom Burnett
Adjutant
July 15, 2011