VR Veterans Club Secretary Secretary Reports

An informal "Meet and Greet" with breadfast was held from 0900 to 0930.  

Formal business commenced at 0930 with the "Pledge of Allegiance". 

The Secretary's Report was presented and the minutes of our last meeting were voted upon and accepted by the membership.

The Treasurer's Report was presented. Our current balance on hand is $6,092.75. We received $114.00 in donations at the Memorial Day Pool Party, with an additional $150.00 yielded from the 50/50 raffel at the event. 

The President's Report was presented, and two new members were introduced. Jules thanked Board Member Dennis Flyer for securing today's complementary breakfast provided by Mission BBQ, and thanked Mission BBQ for their generous support. 

Jules noted that the flag lowering at the Veteran's Cemetery for the Memorial Day holiday period would be on Tuesday, June 11th. Members were encouraged to participate in the event. The flag take down team will meet at 0900 on Tuesday at our usual location in the clubhouse parking lot, and will depart for the cemetery at 0915.

Jules noted that a Board of Directors meeting will be held immediately following the general breakfast meeting today. 

He also noted that today's meeting will be the last before our summer break during July and August. Our next general meeting will be a breakfast meeting to be held on Sunday September 8th in the Social Hall. He thanked the members for a phenomenal season and noted that to date we have raised a cumulative total of $78,000 for the Wounded Veteran's Relief Fund.

The HOA Hurricane Policy was discussed. Member Howard Rock briefed on the HOA emergency preparations program, and volunteers were solicited to be available to assist with emergency activities in the community to supplement the efforts of the HOA Emergency Response team.

The Honor Flight Program was discussed. Jules noted that three of our members had participated as Honorees, and several others as Escorts. Shannon from Mission BBQ discussed her experiences as an Honor Flight Escort, and encouraged members to participate in the program as either Honorees or Escorts. She found participating in the program to be an exceptionally rewarding experience.

Guest Carmello Rodriguez, President of the Florida branch of the 2nd Infantry Division Veteran's Association, briefed members on his group, and discussed the importance of reaching out to new veterans in order to expand veteran's organizations and to serve as a bridge to younger generation veterans. He offered to help our Veteran's Club in any way that he could to support our mission of helping wounded veterans.

Jules encouraged our members to submit their service pictures to Joel Moskowitz for his picture board at our November Veteran's Day party. Submissions should ideally be boarderless 8"X10" pictures. He also led a discussion of how we might best recognize our deceased members on the picture board. Under consideration is adding a black ribbon to the pictures of our members who have passed on, or recognizing them in some similar fashion. Jules also reminded our members that we make a donation of $25.00 in the name of our deceased members to the Wounded Veteran's Relief Fund, and also present a plaque to their surviving family. He noted that both of these efforts have been very well received and greatly appreciated by family members.

Vice President Goody Morrison provided a briefing on preparations for our Saturday April 1st Annual BBQ event. He noted that Mission BBQ would cater the event this year. He reminded all that an updated solicitation letter will be posted on our website to be used when approaching businesses and vendors for prize donations for our November Veteran's Day Party auctions. He encouaged members to help to solicit prize donations, or alternatively to donate a gift card or item donation suitable for auction to support the event.

Board Member Mike Silverman made an interesting and informative presenation focusing on two World War I Medal of Honor recipients, and showed a video of their presidential award ceremonies. The presentation was well received. 

The 50/50 raffel was held, generating $80.00 for the Wounded Veteran's Relief Fund.