Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association

Washington State Chapter
Saturday, March 03, 2007

Meeting Minutes

 Meeting & Briefing at Famous Dave’s Tacoma, WA.

Subject: Minutes of business meeting and other notes of interest.

The meeting was 11:00 to 3:00PM, including meal, speakers & fellowship.

1.                  New chapter president, Chris Farwell opened the meeting with introductions of leaders and each member/guest to share name and unit(s) & year(s) in combat.

2.                  Reported news about Dick Glasgow funeral with military honor guard. See web site for more details and photos.  (Skip to Old Business paragraph for reading)

3.                  VHPA window decals were presented to the (a) Most wars (b) oldest member (c) most wars (d) came the longest distance, a late arrival also received one for farthest distance, they were about equal. 

4.                  Barbara Hatred works as a volunteer director for the VA and at American Lake, gave a touching “Thank you for serving our country back then”.

a.       Her direction is in helping all veterans, including the newer ones, from short times at the hospital to fixing up & upkeep of their home because they are unable to so themselves due to physical handicaps. She always can use more volunteers and was asking for our help when ever we have the time. She also passed out a small colorful pin-on shaped like a “dog tag” to everyone.

b.      She also encouraged everyone to know where their DD214 is and how to get it and to register with the VA if not already completed. Also, the VA is using a new ID card now that doesn’t have the SSN on it or birth date, but does have a photo.

5.                  Later after the great meal served buffet style we proceeded with a talk by Gail Caricchio who continued the VA discussion on enrollment in the VA database and improvements to it, which included the DD214.  One of our members, Bruce McKenty also works at the VA and added that the golf course was almost free to people who volunteer to work at the VA hospital at American Lake. He is also a volunteer (Commander) for the Order of Purple Heart and can direct you in this regard to more service available to those members. Bruce is into several jobs so is a great source and point of personal contact at the VA.

6.                  Dick Latimer put in a plug for the AMVETS ph: 253-472-2822 which is headquartered at the fairly new building in Tacoma and has a great wealth of information for any veteran to assist in filling out forms to get assistance from the VA. This organization was started before the end of WWII by and for veterans.

(Only On-going & New Business will be read at the meetings.)

Old Business:

1. Skip Blaksley our treasurer reported we are doing well, with over $5758.09 even after the free meal today.
2.  Bill Vaughn, web master, said he would add these links to the chapter web site and also asked if everyone wanted his name and/or contact information put up on the web site. We agreed to a method that Bill would design so that we could each add to the site and enter just the data we wanted to be viewed and he would set it so it could not be “spam” collected or would be protected that way. A log-in was discussed as well, but not decided.
3. Secretary’s minutes were read from the Auburn Day parade meeting, & approved.
4. Our local scholarship fund was discussed some with alternative ideas, like give to VHPA national fund, or the local Fisher House for families or solider funds to help veterans from the recent wars and combat. Or to give to a specific item, to contact Barbara Hatred at the VA or Bruce McKenty, VA or Jack Salm. 
   1. Dick Gladamen & Jim Hadbruner said we should have the committee decide the impact of the funds & recommendation & how much to give in % as our membership will decrease as time goes on.
   2. A Charity committee was formed and chaired by Dick Latimer assisted by Jim Hodgeboom.
5. Now we have a “pin” idea to give out or a “patch”.
6. Should we try to get the families more involved was a question that was unresolved.
7. Dick Latimer said he had a great time at the last parade (1^st time), that it was a great experience and looks forward to next year.

 New Business:

1.          Chris Farwell reported that National VHPA said we can be called a “Chapter of the VHPA” but do not have to report anything to the national. Jack Salm was instrumental in getting this reinstated at the national level.

2.          The chapter needs more members at large. Frank Jones was nominated and accepted the position of Member @ Large- Mid level.  Pat Staeheli volunteered for Junior Member @ Large, was voted in and approved in both positions.

3.          A recommendation was made to buy a case for Dick Glasgow’s casket flag to give to his family, seconded and approved.

4.          Spoken congratulations and standing ovation for LTC. (Ret) Bruce Crandall who received the Congressional Medal of Honor 2/26/2007 this last Monday.

5.          The door prize, a 2007 VHPA calendar, was won by Ed Authier.

6.          Spoken congratulations and standing ovation for LTC. (Ret) Bruce Crandall who received the Congressional Medal of Honor 2/26/07 this last Monday.

7.          Jack Salm asked for a show of hands of who is planning to attend the National VHPA reunion & encouraged everyone to attend at this new resort location. Jack is also running for National VP.

 Meeting concluded.

Other event notes of interest:

1. Visit & use the organization web site for photos, notices and send in your story. www.vhpawa.org
2. New member John Shaffer told a “War story, this ain’t no shit”. John told a different one at the National meet in DC at the first War Story event. John is a great storyteller.
3. The next meeting will be at the Olympia Air Show in June. The fall meet could be at the FLW simulator or a BBQ with the Task Force 160 Special Ops folks.
4. Add on question: Are we going to plan a special event for Bruce Crandall?? And Freeman?

 55 members and guests attended. 

New members:

Bradley, Richard / Christensen, Chris / Drake, Donald / Dunsmore, Mike / Martini Duke / McKenty, Bruce / Phillips, Fed / Shafer, John / Solum, Don / Spradlin, Richard / Thurber, Tom / Willette, Willian

WA Chapter, Secretary,
Doug Decker _date/time: 5/29/2007 11:29 AM.  E-mail: dougdecker1@comcast.net    

 Recap board members: President- Chris Farwell, VP- Paul Fleming, Senior member @ large- David Eck. Newly added: Member @ Large Mid-Level: Frank Jones New junior member @ Large: Pat Staeheli. (lost name): will fill the New position of: Sgt.@ Arms.

 http://www.olympicflightmuseum.com/  for the next meeting site during the Air Show & for Fathers Day weekend.

Persons to contact from VA:

Gail Caricchio: Tel: 253-583-1373 or e-mail: Gail.Caricchio@va.gov
Kim Binh Kibler: Tel: cell:253-583-1359 or e-mail: KimBinh.Kibler@va.gov
Bruce McKenty: Order of Purple Heart Commander (2005-2006): Tel: 253-209-3166 or e-mail: chic47@aol.com
Dick Latimer: AMVETS Tel: 253-472-2822
Barbara Hatred: volunteer director for the VA American Lake: Tel: 253-583-1060
Tom Thurber: Tel: 253-631-9377 or e-mail: thurbs@mindspring.com