VR Veterans Club Secretary Secretary Reports

Meeting opened at 1600 with 40 members in attendance. Total club membership is 170.

An informal "Meet and Greet" was held from 1600 to 1615..

Formal business commenced at 1615 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 $3,215 cash balance on hand. The HOA form required to be submitted by all VR clubs has been completed, signed by all Veteran's Club Officers and Board of Directors members, and filed with the HOA.

President's Report was presented. It was noted that a canopy tent has been purchased for use at various Veteran's Club events. The President also explained that as a result of an HOA legal interpretation of Florida law that we as an HOA approved social club will no longer be able to hold 50/50 drawings. This ruling applies to all HOA approved social clubs. However, since the Wounded Warriors of South Florida is a designated charitable organization in accordance with Florida law they will be able to run a 50/50 drawing during our upcoming car show.

Food Drive Chairman Mike Tremper provided an update on the preparations for our February 25th Veteran's Club Food Drive. Coordination has been completed with all POD Food Drive Captains and all publicity arrangements are in place. In addition to the collections scheduled for February 25th it was noted that food donations will also be collected the week before in the Valencia Reserve clubhouse.

Blood Drive Co-Chairman Marty Merluzzi provided an update on preparations for our Friday March 18th Blood Drive. In addition to whole blood platelates will also be collected for those wishing to donate. Additional volunteers were solicited to help escort blood donors from the bus collection points to the clubhouse kitchen for refreshments after they have given blood. Experience has shown that this is important since there have been a number of occasions when donors have passed out after donating on their way to the refreshment area. It was noted that individuals donating blood must wait at least 56 days before they may safely donate again.

Car Show Co-Chairman Roger Ruddick provided an update on preparations for our Sunday March 20th Car Show to be held in conjunction with the VR Car Club. It was noted that there will be a separate section for Corvettes located adjacent to the main show area. Seventy-eight cars participated in last years event, and we are hoping to have even more cars participate this year. The Car Club will provide experienced judges for the event. Thirty-Six trophies will be awarded. Additional volunteers were solicited to help with parking and car registration.

Cape Canaveral Trip Chairman Dennis Flier provided an update on preparations for the trip on Tuesday April 5th. Costs are anticipated to be $92.00 per person, and this will include the tour, bus transportation, IMAX theater tickets, and admission to exhibits. It is anticipated that the bus will depart VR around 0830 and will return around 2000. The event will be initially open to Veteran's Club members and their spouses, and will be opened to all VR residents if space is available.

Polynesian Spring Dinner Dance Chairman Goody Morrison provided an update on preparations for the Saturday April 30thevent. Costs are anticipated to be approximately $30.00 per person. In addition to dinner and dancing, entertainment will be provided. Registration will be open to Veteran's Club members and their spouses a week before general registration is opened to all VR residents. 

Fleet Week Chairman Goody Morrison provided an update on preparations for the May 5th event. Additional details will be provided as soon as they become available. We are hoping to visit a destroyer and a nuclear submarine this year.

President Jules Harper discussed in detail the recent adverse publicity in the New York Times received by the national Wounded Warriors Project regarding the high overhead and exorbitant spending on travel and salaries by that organization.It was noted that the Wounded Warriors Project based in Jacksonville has no relation whatsoever with the locally based Wounded Wounded Warriors of South Florida that our Veteran's Club supports. The Wounded Warriors of South Florida gives approximately 91.5% of the funds that it collects to wounded veterans, in contrast to the 61% passed to veterans by the Wounded Warrior Project. The Wounded Warriors of South Florida has set up a web site that allows individuals to donate directly. The web site address is: wwofsf.org.

Following the Wounded Warriors Project adverse publicity discussion, a short video was presented featuring local newscaster Sharon Cake, a long time supporter of the Wounded Warriors of South Florida organization that our Veteran's Club supports.

Veteran's Club members and Korean War era veterans Dan Brizel, Steve Pachter, Sol Kleinman and Morty Grab were recognized for their service during the Korean conflict. Korean veteran Stu Goodman was not present at the meeting.

Following the honoring of our Korean War era veterans President Jules Harper briefly discussed the scale and scope of the Korean War. His discussion was followed by a video about the Korean War that highlighted the Korean War Memorial in Washington, DC.

President Jules Harper reviewed the schedule of upcoming events for 2016.

Scheduled Sunday breakfast meeting dates for 2016 are indicated below:

--Sunday April 10, 2016, 9:00 AM--12:00 noon

--Sunday June 12, 2016, 9:00 AM--12:00 noon

--Sunday September 11, 2016, 9:00 AM--12:00 noon

--Sunday December 11, 2016, 9:00 AM--12:00 noon (Annual Meeting)

All meetings will be held in the Social Hall.

Scheduled Second Thursday of the month meetings for 2016 are as indicated below:

--Thursday March 10, 2016, 4-6 PM

--Thursday May 12, 2016, 4-6 PM

--Thursday October 13, 2016, 4-6 PM

--Thursday November 10, 2016, 4-6 PM

All meetings will be held in the Social Hall.

2016 Projected Schedule of Veteran's Club Events is indicated below:

--Car Show: March 20, 2016

--Blood Drive: March 18, 2016 and October 28, 2016

--Canned Food Drive: February 25, 2016

--Veteran's Polynesian Dinner Dance Party: April 30, 2016

--Fleet Week in Fort Lauderdale: May 5, 2016

--Pool Party with HOA: May 30, 2016 (Memorial Day)

--Veteran's Day Dance: November 11, 2016 (3-11 PM)

Board Member Michael Tremper made an interesting and informative presentation on "The Life of an Infantry Soldier" highlighting his experience as an infantryman supporting Ranger training during the Vietnam War. The presentation, complete with photos, was well received by our membership.

The President noted in his concluding remarks that our next meeting will be on Thursday March 10, 2016 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM in the Social Hall. The meeting will feature a presentation by Vice President Goody Morrison on "The History of the USO".

The meeting concluded at 1740.

Minutes submitted by Tom Nowak, Veteran's Club Secretary