OPENING CEREMONIES:Commander Doty called the meeting to order at 1000 hours, 9 MAR. Opening ceremonies were held according to VFW Ritual. Sixteen Post 11447 members were present and no visitors.

ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS: The Roll Call was taken by Adjutant Burnett. The following officers were absent Surgeon Storment (excused) and Advocate Correll.

NEW RECRUITS:Adjutant read the names of three new members and their qualifications for acceptance. All three are Vietnam veterans and were recruited by Post member Richard Haulet.

They are Robert Schaeffer, Marvin Smith and Ron Middleton. Adjutant Burnett made the motion that all three recruits be accepted for membership in the Post, seconded by Comrade Rowe. Motion carried.

DISTINGUISHED GUESTS: None

MINUTES: Commander asked if the minutes from the previous meeting had been posted. The minutes were posted on the bulletin board at the Post and sent to all members with an e-mail address on file. The minutes are also available on the website www.vfw11447.org. The Adjutant made the motion to accept the minutes as written, seconded by Comrade Gerken, 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 Best, motion carried. The audit was conducted on 9 MAR. The report is on file, if anyone wants to see the entire report, contact the QM.

The Post General Fund is in the black for the first time in several years, this is the result of a very successful Beach Bash held at Mango's Resort and adjacent properties Special thanks to JVC/Beach Bash Coordinator Phil Atkinson, Nancy Mallari (key volunteer) and everyone else who helped in making this one of the most profitable and successful event in years. The Canteen is doing okay and was able to pay workers, electric bill and 2011 permits and is in the black after first full month of operation.

SERVICE OFFICER REPORT: Still assisting veterans, members and spouses with various issues.

SURGEON'S REPORT: NTR

COMRADE OR FAMILY MEMBER IN DISTRESS: Commander said that Ken Brower is still not doing well and is confined to his house. Following the meeting we were informed that Ken was in Lourdes Hospital emergency room. The Commander went to the hospital and was informed that Ken was DOA. Ken is a WWII veteran who joined the Navy in Nov 1942 at the age of 17 and was with the amphibious forces and made several amphibious landings in the Pacific theater of operations.

Comrade Sullivan said that he had heard from a reliable source that Comrade Alvarez has suffered another stroke. However this has not been confirmed and the Adjutant will send an email to Jose and hopefully we can get some info from him or his family. We have no phone number for him in Texas.

NOTE 13 MAR: Concerning the health of Comrade Jose Alvarez. Comrade Alvarez did not have another stroke; however he did spend a week in the hospital for a bad gout attack. He is better now and doing okay. He made a hospital visit last month and visited ten vets over a five hour period.

COMMANDER CALLED FOR COMMITTEE REPORTS:

MEMBERSHIP REPORT: QM Burnett gave the report. We need 2 new recruits or unpaid Annual Members to renew to reach 100%. A list of unpaid members was sent as an attachment to last month's minutes. The figures below include the three members voted on today.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: The kids' field trip is still pending.

BUDDY POPPY CHAIRMAN:Chaplain Alvarado reported that P600 ($13.95) has been collected at the meeting, thank you to all who donated.

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. See our website for a photo of the front of the building. Food service will start soon with a limited menu at this time.

BEACH BASH COMMITTEE: The event was very successful, see QM details above for monetary details. The key event of the Bash every year is the dance contest and as usual it was outstanding with many fine performers.

PUP TENT 11: Seam Squirrel Cox said that the Pup Tent elections were held at the last Scratch and Cootie Sully Sullivan was elected as the next Seam Squirrel. Cootie Sullivan has also recruited two new potential Cooties which will be voted on under New Business.

POST HOUSE COMMITTEE: The first PHC meeting was held on 8 Mar. The committee will review and make changes to the Canteen By-laws. In attendance were PPC Jimbo Correll, Commander Doty, Committee members Atkinson and Big Mike Best and the QM.

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 two Applications for Membership in the Cooties for Chaplain Alvarado and Comrade Chris Schrauben. Both are life members of the Post. Adjutant made a motion that the membership approved the application, seconded by Comrade Best, motion carried. Application will be given to the Pup Tent for consideration.

Nominations for Post Officers were taken. The following members were nominated and accepted the nominations. Additional nominations will be taken at the April meeting and following the closing of nominations an election will be held.

The FRA in San Antonio would like to hold quarterly meetings at our Post Home. This will make the FRA meetings more assessable for members who live in Barretto and other areas of Olongapo City. Motion was made to allow the meetings to be held here by Comrade Best, seconded by Comrade Gerken. Discussion: The meetings will be held on Fridays which do not conflict with any Post events. It will be good business for the Canteen. Motion voted on and carried.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER

Adjutant Burnett, Commander Doty and other Post members (representing other veteran organizations) attended a TRICARE meeting in February. The TRICARE representatives provided a briefing on the TRICARE website that is available. Members can make their claims; provide additional info on claims being held up for additional info and appeal claims that were denied online. They recommended that claims be submitted individually rather then several at a time since if there is a problem with one claim the others will be put on hold until that claim is taken care of. The website is user friendly and can be access at www.tricareoverseas.com. Phone numbers and email address was also provided +65 6339-2676, 180014410576, email sin.tricare@internationalsos.com. The TRICARE Area Pacific reps were also present and answer some questions. Their contact info is:

TRICARE Area Office-Pacific (TAO-P)
Camp Lester, Okinawa Japan
PSC 482, BOX 2479
FPO AP 96362
Telephone Commercial: (81) 611-743-2036;
DSN: 643-2036
Email: TPAO.CSC@med.navy.mil
Website: http://www.tricare.mil/pacific

The Commander said that the Post Canteen is looking for a manager on a voluntary basis. Member with some business experience is preferred. Contact the Commander if interested. PHC will interview and select a volunteer if any.

Comrade Schrauben said that the VVA will be holding a meeting at American Legion Post 4 in Olongapo on 3 May at 1400. He also said that AmeriCare Global Inc. will be giving a presentation at the American Legion meeting on Sunday, 11 Mar.

Comrade Chris Schrauben reminded members that there is a little known FRA Branch in Olongapo City. FRA Branch 74 which Chris is a member is located behind City Hall. They hold their meetings on the 2nd Saturday of the month at 1500.

Comrade Maughan won the 50/50 raffle. P1700 was collected. Comrade Maughan donated his share to the Post Relief Fund, thank you Richard.

CLOSING CEREMONIES: Closing Ceremonies were held according to Ritual and the meeting was adjourned at 1110 hours. The next GMM will be held on 13 APR at 1000 hours at the Post Home.

Official:
/S/ Dennis L Doty
Commander

/S/ Tom Burnett
Adjutant
March 12, 2011