VR Veterans Club Secretary Secretary Reports

Veteran's Club Meeting Minutes From November 9, 2017.

Our meeting opened at 1600 with 31 members and 4 guests in attendance. Total club membership is now 184.

An informal "Meet and Greet" was held from 1600 to 1620.

Formal business commenced at 1620 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 Treasuer's Report was presented. It was noted that we currently have a cash balance of $12,230.00. A total of 332 people have signed up to attend our Veteran's Day Party, resulting in incoming payments $9,628.00. After party expenses are paid out, it is anticipated that we will be able to donate $3,000 or more to the Wounded Veteran Relief Fund, in addition to the funds raised by our auction at the event. These donations will bring our total donations to the Wounded Veteran's Relief to an amount exceeding $50,000.

It was announced that Dennis Flier has arranged for a club visit to the Palm Beach Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center on January 23, 2018. The Reserve Center is located near the Palm Beach International Airport, and will provide a variety of briefings and displays during our visit. Details of the event including transportation arrangements will be provided as they are finalized.

Our President reminded members that a Veteran's Day Recognition Ceremony will be held on Saturday, November 11 at 9 AM at the flagpole in front of the clubhouse. During the ceremony Joe Franz, the Chairman of our Flag Committee, will replace the current flag with a new flag. Jules will give a short talk on the meaning of Veteran's Day, a soloist will preform patriotic songs, and music will be provided by our Valencia Reserve band. The ceremony will last approximately 30 minutes. In the event of rain the event will be held in the clubhouse. All of our members and their spouses are invited to attend, as well as the entire Valencia Reserve community. Members are requested to wear their club hats and shirts.

Jules read a note from Mel Cantor advising that the West Palm Beach Veteran's Medical Center will now provide complementary valet parking to veterans who have a scheduled appointment at the facility.

President Jules Harper advised that beginning on November 11, 2017 all veterans will beome eligible to utilize the online PX system where reduced prices are offfered on a variety of merchanise with no sales tax. Veterans can register to take advantage of this service on line at vetverify.com.

Members were reminded that our next flag lowering event at the South Florida Veteran's Cemetery would be on Tuesday, November 14. Participants will meet at 9 AM in the clubhouse parking lot near the old mail boxes and car pool to the cemetery. Members were encouraged to participate. Lowering the flags usually takes approximately one hour or less, depending on the number of participants.

Board Member Mike Heiserman provided a briefing on the recent Honor Flight event, noting that the flights are usually done from our area four times a year. All who participated found it to be a rewarding experience. The next event may be in the spring. Additional details will be provided when they become available.

Blood Drive Chairman Tom Conklin provided an update on our upcoming Blood Drive on Friday, December 1st. Additional volunteers were solicited to help during the event. 

Vice President Goody Morrison provided an update on preparations for our Veteran's Day Party. Doors will open at 6:15 PM on Friday. Food will be available upon entry. The program will include brief remarks by our President, a performance by the Kings Academy Choir, and a live auction followed by desert and dancing. Goody provided thanks to members and their spouses who volunteered to help with the event. Members at the meeting were invited to help finalize the party set up immediately after today's meeting.

Kevin Ridgeway, the Acting Director of the South Florida National Cemetery, presented an interesting and informative presentation about the cemetery and the Veteran's Administration Cemetery Administration. He provided many interesting facts about the cemetery, discussed the criteria for internment for veteran's and their spouses and explained the associated administrative processes, He highlighted the advantages of filing an "Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery" for both veterans and their spouses and made the pre-need determination forms available to our members. A question and answer session followed the presentation, which was well received by all hands.

Karen Forrest and Erol Atamer of the Palm Beach National Chapel Funeral Home made an interesting and informative presentation about the services provided for veterans by their facility. Their establishment is the closest funeral home to the South Florida National Cemetery and provides services for many veteran's funerals prior to interment in the cemetery. They also made available to members a complementary Funeral Planning Guide. A question and answer session followed the presentation, which was well received by all hands.