Commander called for new recruits: Comrade Richmond was introduced, he joined the Post from Member at Large status.

Commander asked if the minutes from the previous meeting had been posted. The Adjutant reported they had, and no comments or changes had been made. Comrade Alvarez made motion to accept the minutes as written, seconded by Comrade Boruff. Carried.

Commander called for the Surgeon's report: Comrade Boruff gave the following report.

1. Captain Baloy has agreed to let us use the Barangay covered patio for the Medical and Dental outreach. He will furnish the tables, chairs and 1 water cooler.

2. Mayor Gordon's office has been notified of our intentions.

3. Corazon Guanco of the Global School of Nursing is arranging for Doctors and Nurses to donate their services.

4. Dr. Cielito Mabeza, President of the Olongapo Dental Society is arranging for Dentists to donate their services.

5. Three doctors from Mt. Carmel Medical Clinic have agreed to donate their services.

6. Tom Lutz, President of Health Visions Corporation has pledged a 20,000 Peso donation and is soliciting medical donations from various companies.

7. Donations as of today's date: Net Cash donations: 1,808.50 Pesos Net Dental Medicine donations: 3,544.35 Pesos

8. The Shriners' through Comrade Chester Gross is donating 3 boxes of medicine.

9. Two Banners have been purchased for use at the Outreach.

10. Two Streamers have been ordered to place on National Highway . They are supposed to be finished before Friday, 9/16.  

Commander called for Committee reports:  

a. Post Home Committee (PHC): Report given by Comrade Hammond:   PHC is trying to get the ad wall painted white so old ads can be covered up and new ads can be painted.   Owner of the Marmont hotel (now Westbay Apts) is looking into allowing a VFW sign to be hung below their sign at the corner of Del Pilar and National highway.   There was a huge drop in the electric bill for the month of Aug. Monitoring of electrical use has shown some success.   Through the efforts of Comrade Traux and donations by members, a new stove and waffle iron were purchased for the Post at no expense to the General Fund. The old stove had holes and heat could not be maintained in the oven.  

b. Membership Committee: SVC Sullivan gave latest stats on membership drive. 334 Life Members, 7 new, 7 reinstated and 10 continuous for a total of 388. We are at 92.27%. Members were encouraged to go out and remind our annual members to pay their dues.

c. Amerasian Scholarship Committee: NTR  

d. Buddy Poppy Chairman: Comrade Frey reported P550 was collected.  

e. Seam Squirrel Report: Seam Squirrel was absent, Blanket Bum Sullivan said that the COA, (midterm) Social would be held at Laguna hotel on Baloy Beach . All post members are invited to attend. Pup Tent 11 donated $143 to help with the cost of a new computer for the Post.

f. Web Master: Registration information for COA is now on the website. All members attending need to register so we can get a head count, especially for the banquet. Website www.vfw11447.org

g. COA: Post 11447 will host the COA in Dec 2-4 2005. Venue will be By-the-Sea Hotel on National Hi-way, Barrio Barretto (walking distance from the post).

h. Building Committee: Still looking for new site/building. Negotiations with owner of post home still ongoing.

i. Beach Bash: Dates for the Bash is 9-12 Feb 2006. Watch the website for updates.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Nominations were reopened for vacant position on PHC. Comrade Dan Richmond was nominated. Nominations were closed with two members for the position, Comrades Blanchfield and Richmond . Comrade Richmond received majority of votes.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Junior Vice Commander Vacancy: Comrade Fain B. Boruff, Jr. was nominated by Commander Correll. No other nominations were made. Nominations will be reopened at the next meeting and voting will done after nominations are closed.

2. Post 2485 Raffle tickets are on sale, Commander read an email from Post 2485 to the membership concerning the raffle. Also there are still VVA tickets available.

3. Commander read to the membership a letter from “The Love of Children” organization signed by Chuck De Morse asking for sponsors and donations for the “The Love of Children Charity Pro-am Golf Tournament. Commander Correll recommended to the membership that the Post should become a Golf Cart Sponsor which requires a payment of P5000. Comrade Chester Gross said that there are currently 83 children being care for by the Shriners' Organization. The non-profit organization has no admin costs and 100% goes to the care of the children. Membership voted to be a cart sponsor.

4. Commander read an email from National concerning donations for hurricane Katrina. National recommended that each post donate $1.00 per each member of the post from the Post's Relief Fund. Due to a loan (6 SEP) to a spouse of a member for burial services, our Relief Fund is nearly depleted and cannot afford $388. However, a donation of $100 was voted upon by membership for a donation to Katrina relief fund. A flyer was also posted on the Post information board giving information on how members can make direct donations via credit card.  

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER

1. Comrade Frey said that DFAS will no longer send out paper W-2, 1099's and LES's. Members will have to download copies via the internet. To sign up for internet access with DFAS go to https://myPay.dfas.mil (note: do not use www in front of myPay).

2. Comrade Traux said that the President of Victory Liner in Olongapo will provide free of charge a bus for the Post when needed. In the past the Victory Liner has provided buses for the Beach Bash and field trips for our scholarship children.  

3. Comrade Gross (Director of our RAO) said that the ongoing ID making operation in Manila is going well, but he know there are a lot of people who will not go because of illness or just don't give a s--- attitude. He is trying to get them to come down to the Olongapo area sometime in the future so that DEERS updates and ID cards can be made for people who did not hear about the visit, or could not go. He also talked about the upcoming golf tournament “For Love of Children”. Lastly, he explained why there was a large increase in the dues at the RAO. He said that when the RAO first opened off-base after the base closure, the monthly fee was $5. About a year later it was reduced to $2 (approx 1993) and has remained since. Due to increase in just about everything, the RAO can no long keep the fee at $2. The new yearly fee is $60, however if you pay before 31 Jan 2006 you get a $10 discount.  

4. 50/50 Raffle won by Comrade Gillis. Total was P1520. Comrade Gillis received P750 and the Building Fund/Relief Fund got P770. Comrade Gillis donated part of his winnings to the relief fund (P350).

5. Commander Correll presented a Letter of Appreciation to Lee Andersen for his services to the Post. Although not a VFW member, Lee Andersen continues to help out anyway he can, most noticeably free printing services of raffle tickets, and business cards for the post and officers.

6. Canteen Manager Landry gave a presentation about the fund status of the canteen. He said that on an average the monthly basic bills due from the canteen come to P143,880 ($2616). He said prices on some menu items will have to increase.

7. Post Commander reminded the membership that there would be a POW/MIA Recognition Day memorial service following the meeting.   The Post Commander adjourned the meeting at 12:30.

Next meeting will be held at the Post Home at 1100, Wednesday 12 October 2005.   Official:/S/Tom Burnett
/S/James E. Correll Post Adjutant Commander
17 September 2005