Veteran's Club Meeting Minutes From April 8, 2018
Our meeting opened at 0900 with 50 members in attendance. Breakfast was served. Total club membership is now 188.
An informal "Meet and Greet" was held from 0900 to 0920.
Formal business commenced at 0920 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. It was noted that we currently have a $7,361 cash balance, $4,352 of which is going toward our upcoming BBQ event. Our adjusted cash balance is $3,009. $1845 was generated by our Car Show for the Wounded Warrior's Relief Fund, and we anticipate an estimated yield of $1,500 to $1,800 from our upcominig Party. To date, our club has donated a total of $61,000 to the Wounded Warriors Relief Fund.
The President's Report was presented. A new member was introduced, and Jules noted that our November Veteran's Party has been rescheduled from Friday November 8, 2018 to Monday, November 12, 2018 in order to accomodate the availability of the King's Academy Chior.
He also noted that our recent Blood Drive was very successful, yielding 55 pints of blood, and thanked all those participating in and supporting the event.
Jules recognized Fred Paul and his team for their efforts in organizing our meeting breakfasts.
Board Member and Car Show Chairman Mike Heiserman thanked all those who helped to make the event a great success. Mike noted that the new trophy placque presented to car owners who participated was greatly appreciated by them. Over $1845.00 was raised at the show to support the Wounded Veteran's Relief Fund.
President Jules Harper thanked Car Show Chairman Mike Heiserman and our membership gave hime a round of applause in recogniton of his outstanding efforts in managing the event.
Howard Becker was also recognized for taking the Car Show pictures this year.
Fleet Week event Chairman Dave Weisman provided an update on this year's Fleet Week event. The ship visits will be held be on Tuesday May 1st. It is anticipated that at least five ships will participate, including an amphibious assault ship, a littoral combat ship, and several Coast Guard Cutters. Plans call for our group to car pool to the event this year, and participants will have the opportunity to join crew members at a "Happy Hour" and a reception featuring a complementary buffet after the ship tours. All members and guests participating must register in advance in order to obtain a security screening as in past years. Participants are reminded to wear their club shirts and hats with khaki shirts or shorts. Members who have registered for the event can obtain their tickets from Dave.
Vice President Goody Morrison provided a update on our upcoming BBQ scheduled for Saturday April 21st in the Social Hall. Cost will be $27.00 per person. To date 145 people have signed up for the event. Doors will open at 1845.
Goody also noted that the new club shirts are available for order. Members interested in purchasing shirts should contact Goody.
Members were reminded that the Honor Flight Program is now accepting Korean War veterans.
The 50/50 raffel was held, yielding $55.00 to be donated to the Wounded Veteran's Relief Fund.
Board Member Nelson Cusher made an interesting and informative presentation on the defoliant Agent Orange that was used extensively during the Vietnam War. The entire Agent Orange program was discussed in detail, including the long term health impact on both the Vietnamese and Americans who where were exposed to the toxin. The presentation was well received by all hands and was followed by a lively question and answer period that included the perspective of one of our members experiencing long term health issues as the result of his personal exposure during his service in country during the war.
President Jules Harper noted that the Veteran's Administration now covers a long list of cancers for veterans who have spent at least 24 hours on the ground in Vietnam. The VA will provide free treatment for life for eligible veterans. He urged eligible members to register to make sure that they are covered if related health issuses emerge late in life. The registiration process requires a fifteen minute interview and an additional 30 minutes to complete the required forms.
Scheduled Veteran's Club Events for 2018 are indicated below:
--Spring BBQ: Saturday April 21, 2018
--Fleet Week In Fort Lauderdale: Tuesday April 1, 2018
--Veteran's Day Dance: Monday November 12, 2018
Scheduled Sunday breakfast meetings for 2018 are indicated below:
--Sunday June 10, 2018
--Sunday Septermber 9, 2018
--Sunday December 9, 2018
All Sunday breakfast meetings will be held in the Social Hall from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
Scheduled Second Thursday of the month meetings for 2018 are indicated below:
--Thursday May 10, 2018
--Thursday October 11, 2018
--Thursday November 8, 2018
All Thursday meetings will be held in the Social Hall from 4:00 to 6:00 PM.
The President noted in his concluding remarks that our next meeting would be held on May 10th at 1600 in the Social Hall. Vice President Goody Morrison noted that next month's presentation will be given by Tom Wood and will focus on comedian Bob Hope's contributions to entertaining the troops across several wars.
The Meeting concluded at 1035.
Minutes Submitted by Tom Nowak, Veteran's Club Secretary