OPENING CEREMONIES: Commander Doty called the meeting to order at 1000 hours, 11 MAY.  Opening ceremonies were held according to VFW Ritual. Eighteen Post 11447 members were present and no visitors.

ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS:The Roll Call was taken by Adjutant Burnett.  Eight officers were present, one excused and one absent.

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 15 Apr on the bulletin board and sent to members via email. 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 Spears, 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 Spears, motion carried. The audit was conducted on 11 MAY.  The report is on file, if anyone wants to see the entire report, contact the QM.

SERVICE OFFICER REPORT: Two life members died this month. Jerry Trimm died on 2 May and Thomas Allen on 7 May. Burial services for Jerry were held on Thursday, 12 May at Clark Air Base in Angeles City. Tom Allen was cremated on Tuesday 10 May, services provided by the American Legion Post 4 in Olongapo, VFW members were in attendance.

SURGEON'S REPORT: NTR

COMRADE OR FAMILY MEMBER IN DISTRESS: The wife of Bill Landry, a Post member living in Baguio had a head concussion and a CRT Scan and hospitalization were necessary. Currently at home resting but still requires some medical tests.

COMMANDER CALLED FOR COMMITTEE REPORTS:

MEMBERSHIP REPORT: QM Burnett gave the report. 

CofA: NTR

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: Field trip to be held on 18 or 25 May. They will visit Mount Samar at WWII memorial honoring the defenders of Bataan then go swimming at a resort and have lunch.

BUDDY POPPY CHAIRMAN:Chaplain Alvarado reported that P450 has been collected at the meeting, thanks to all who donated. 

WEBSITE: NTR

BUILDING COMMITTEE: NTR

BEACH BASH COMMITTEE: NTR

PUP TENT 11: Seam Squirrel Cox said that they had a good Scratch on 5 May. Initiations began for new Cooties Alvarado, Schrauben and Haulet.  Final initiation procedures will be completed next month.   Cootie Hospital Visits currently stands at 86.9% of quota.

POST HOUSE COMMITTEE: A complete inventory of bar and kitchen was completed at the end of April.  A list of all items with prices of the bar inventory was prepared by the Commander.  Bar inventory value was P44,258 (at P43 to $1 would be $1029). A list of food inventory was also prepared by the Commander; however the cost of the items has not been tallied at this time. Inventory of draw chips were also inventoried, one chip was missing and replaced. The missing chip was not assigned to anyone.

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

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

No Unfinished Business

NEW BUSINESS

District Seven Commander James Correll was invited by Post Commander to conduct the Installation of Post Officers for the 2011-12 Term.  Comrades Doty, Sullivan, Haulet, Burnett, Middleton, Spears, Schaeffer, Wright, Rowe and Alvarado were installed.  The installed officers will not assume their duties until after the Department Officers are installed at the Awards/Installation Banquet on 16 Jun in Bangkok. Congratulations to the new Post Officers.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER

A discussion about the security of the Canteen after closing was brought up after a comment by Comrade Jerry Rowe.  Commander Doty said that he felt the security was sufficient at this time.
The Post could not afford a Security Guard to stand outside after closing. 

Comrade Sullivan said that he received an email about the possibility of some American forces being stationed in Subic or else where in the Philippines following the earthquake in Japan and Guam not being ready to accept Navy ships in its ports.  While two Senators had visited the Philippines, the reason for their visit was not made available in the local press and a lot of speculation is going on.

Commander said that on 2 July the Cootie Swarm (meeting) will be held at the Post Home, followed by a Social. On 3 July District Seven will hold its first District meeting of the new term at Post 11447.  On the 4th of July (Fil/Am day), the Post will hold its annual Fil/Am beach party at Mango's.  Raffle tickets are currently on sale at the Post Canteen and will be available on the 4th up to one hour before drawing time.

Commander gave a well done to Comrade Sullivan and his wife, Comrade Haulet, Joy Saunders and all the others who helped to make the Cinco de Mayo celebration a success. P9,000 was made at the event.

Comrade Schaeffer said that he has put together a young men's basketball team to play in the local tournaments.  The team name is "Barretto Veterans" and is being financed by Comrade Schaeffer.  Comrade Haulet has also organized a team in Subic town, the team is using "VFW 11447" on its shirts, however Comrade Haulet and Joy Saunders are financing the team. They will get a schedule of the dates and venue for the team games. 

Comrade Best asked if it was possible that we could have a drink of the day to get rid of the some of the specialty bottles that no one is buying. After discussion it was decided to let the bottles remain on the shelf they look good.
 
Fil/Am Raffle tickets are available from the Post via email for stateside members like we did last year.  When the QM receives your request he will send you the raffle stub numbers by return email.  After the drawing on the 4th the winning numbers will be sent to all members via the Minutes email list. If a winning member lives outside the Philippines, a check payable in U.S. Dollars will be sent to the winner.  We had a good turn out from stateside members last year and hope to improve this year.  Tickets are $6.00 per book of 11 tickets.  Send your request to vfw11447@ymail.com. Checks are made payable to VFW Post 11447 and mailed to Tom Burnett, PSC 517 Box RS, FPO AP 96517.

Jerry Rowe won the 50/50 raffle.  P1400 was collected. Comrade Rowe donated his winnings to the Post Relief Fund.

CLOSING CEREMONIES: Closing Ceremonies were held according to Ritual and the meeting was adjourned at 1140 hours.  The next GMM will be held on 8 June at 1000 hours at the Post Home.   

Official:
/S/ Dennis L Doty
Commander

/S/ Tom Burnett
Adjutant
May 14, 2011