VR Veterans Club Secretary Secretary Reports

Meeting opened at 1600 with 35 members in attendance. Total club membership is now 153 members.

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

Formal business commenced at 1620 with the Pledge of Allegiance.

The President's Report was presented. It was noted that our Veteran's Day Dance and Auction was a great success, and that our Veteran's Day Flagpole Dedication ceremony was particularly well attended by our veterans and members of the Valencia Reserve Community. A six minute video of the ceremony, complete with soundtrack, was shown and was very well received by our members. The video was prepared by Jim Penderson, who provided photo and video coverage of the event. Jim was recognized for his exceptional work and his quick production of the video.

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

The Treasurer's Report was submitted. It was noted that a check for $3,500 was presented to the Wounded Warriors of South Florida at the Veteran's Day Flagpole Dedication, and that an additional check for $6,000 would be presented to them at their Formal Military Ball on Saturday November 15. Since the Veteran's Club inception a total of $16,500 has been donated to the Wounded Warriors of South Florida.

BJ's Card Project Chairman Chuck Duboise provided an update on the project. To date 80 memberships have been sold through the program yielding $400 to be donated to the Wounded Warriors of South Florida. An additional $100 in cash donations was also collected at the BJ's sign-up table in the clubhouse lobby.

Project Chairman Joe Franze provided an update on our Flagpole project. It is anticipated the the electrical work for the flagpole lighting will be completed within the next four weeks. The electricians doing the work are donating their time and will not charge the Club for their work. Until the permanent lighting is installed we are looking at the possibility of arranging for interim lighting by re-directing an already installed spotlight at the clubhouse. In the interim, volunteers were solicited to raise and lower the flag each day. After the permanent lighting is installed the area around the flagpole and the monument will be landscaped to complete the project.

Norm Beck, Chairman of the Election Committee, provided an update on the upcoming officer and board elections to held at our December general meeting. Seven board member and four officer positions will be filled by the election. Any member is eligible to run. Those interested in running should contact Norm and advise him of their interest.

A volunteer was solicited to for club Coffee Mess Manger. Vinnie D'Aquino, who has done an outstanding job in this role since the club's inception is stepping down due to health reasons.

Program Chairman Roger Ruddick introduced our guest speaker Command Sergeant Major Eric Gressy. Eric recently retired from the Army after 26 years of service, including 11 years overseas. An Airborne Infantryman, Eric holds the Silver Star and three Bonze Stars. He spoke about highlights of his military career, and offered insights into his combat experiences in Iraq. He underscored the importance of the veteran's assistance and recognition activities undertaken by our club. His presentation was particularly well received by our members and led to an lively question and answer session. At the conclusion of his talk a 911 Flag was presented to Eric by club President Jules Harper in appreciation for his service and his participation in our Veteran's Day Flagpole dedication ceremony.

The meeting schedule for the balance of 2014 is as follows:

-December 11: 4-6 PM

The meeting will be held in the Social Hall.

Meetings for 2015 will be held on the second Thursday of every month from 4-6 PM in the Social Hall. 

The President noted in his concluding remarks that our Second Annual Car Show will be held on March 8, and our next Blood Drive will be on May 1. He also noted that our next meeting will be held on December 11 in the Social Hall, and that our annual board and officer elections will be conducted at this meeting.

The 50/50 drawing was held.

The meeting concluded at 1715.

Minutes Submitted by Tom Nowak, Club SecretaryMeeting opened at 1600 with 35 members in attendance. Total club membership is now 153 members.

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

Formal business commenced at 1620 with the Pledge of Allegiance.

The President's Report was presented. It was noted that our Veteran's Day Dance and Auction was a great success, and that our Veteran's Day Flagpole Dedication ceremony was particularly well attended by our veterans and members of the Valencia Reserve Community. A six minute video of the ceremony, complete with soundtrack, was shown and was very well received by our members. The video was prepared by Jim Penderson, who provided photo and video coverage of the event. Jim was recognized for his exceptional work and his quick production of the video.

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

The Treasurer's Report was submitted. It was noted that a check for $3,500 was presented to the Wounded Warriors of South Florida at the Veteran's Day Flagpole Dedication, and that an additional check for $6,000 would be presented to them at their Formal Military Ball on Saturday November 15. Since the Veteran's Club inception a total of $16,500 has been donated to the Wounded Warriors of South Florida.

BJ's Card Project Chairman Chuck Duboise provided an update on the project. To date 80 memberships have been sold through the program yielding $400 to be donated to the Wounded Warriors of South Florida. An additional $100 in cash donations was also collected at the BJ's sign-up table in the clubhouse lobby.

Project Chairman Joe Franze provided an update on our Flagpole project. It is anticipated the the electrical work for the flagpole lighting will be completed within the next four weeks. The electricians doing the work are donating their time and will not charge the Club for their work. Until the permanent lighting is installed we are looking at the possibility of arranging for interim lighting by re-directing an already installed spotlight at the clubhouse. In the interim, volunteers were solicited to raise and lower the flag each day. After the permanent lighting is installed the area around the flagpole and the monument will be landscaped to complete the project.

Norm Beck, Chairman of the Election Committee, provided an update on the upcoming officer and board elections to held at our December general meeting. Seven board member and four officer positions will be filled by the election. Any member is eligible to run. Those interested in running should contact Norm and advise him of their interest.

A volunteer was solicited to for club Coffee Mess Manger. Vinnie D'Aquino, who has done an outstanding job in this role since the club's inception is stepping down due to health reasons.

Program Chairman Roger Ruddick introduced our guest speaker Command Sergeant Major Eric Gressy. Eric recently retired from the Army after 26 years of service, including 11 years overseas. An Airborne Infantryman, Eric holds the Silver Star and three Bonze Stars. He spoke about highlights of his military career, and offered insights into his combat experiences in Iraq. He underscored the importance of the veteran's assistance and recognition activities undertaken by our club. His presentation was particularly well received by our members and led to an lively question and answer session. At the conclusion of his talk a 911 Flag was presented to Eric by club President Jules Harper in appreciation for his service and his participation in our Veteran's Day Flagpole dedication ceremony.

The meeting schedule for the balance of 2014 is as follows:

-December 11: 4-6 PM

The meeting will be held in the Social Hall.

Meetings for 2015 will be held on the second Thursday of every month from 4-6 PM in the Social Hall. 

The President noted in his concluding remarks that our Second Annual Car Show will be held on March 8, and our next Blood Drive will be on May 1. He also noted that our next meeting will be held on December 11 in the Social Hall, and that our annual board and officer elections will be conducted at this meeting.

The 50/50 drawing was held.

The meeting concluded at 1715.

Minutes Submitted by Tom Nowak, Club Secretary