Minutes – October 21, 2010

Vietnam Veterans of America
Sierra Chapter 989
Monthly Meeting

October 21, 2010

Call to order at 1800 was followed by the Pledge of allegiance

A prayer was offered, followed by a moment of silence for POW/MIAs.

Attendance: All officers present except VP Greg Montalvo, who was out of town, and Rick Shuster, who was home sick.  Total signed attendance was 32.

Minutes: from the last meeting were distributed for review.  Approval was postponed to the end of the meeting to allow time for review. At the end of the meeting, Dennis Espinoza offered a motion to approve the minutes, second Bill Thomas (unanimous).

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Rick Shuster was absent due to illness.  President Bob Marshall presented the report.  Current balance was $8873.  Motion to approve: Dennis Espinoza, second Mike Miller (unanimous).

Petty Cash Report: presented by Bob Marshall.  Current balance was $250.88.  Motion to approve: Dennis Espinoza, second Mike Miller (unanimous).

New members: Edward Eugene Travis, new member, and Michael Raya, new associate member.

Guests: David Wolf.

Birthdays: Kenny Williams, Gary Fink, Gary DeBose

Outreach Report: Ron Coleman reported  Veterans of Modern Warfare (VMW) wants to form a chapter and needs 10 members in order to do so.  Gulf War veteran Valorie Nenzel did a presentation on Gulf War Syndrome.  She said she would have contact information for the chapter next week.  VMW membership is based on service after August 2, 1990.  Dennis Espinoza offered a motion that Chapter 989 support the VMW chapter, second Ron Coleman (unanimous).

Mustang Ranch Outreach: Bob Primeaux reported the chapter was approved to hold an outreach at the Mustang Ranch but is limited to a maximum of 4 people.

Garden Report: Rusty Bolton reported the garden will close next week and will be plowed under.

Announcements:
Lacy J. Dalton Show: The show was fantastic and a total net profit of $1380 (big hand).
VFW: Sparky of the VFW Post 9211 and Vietnam Legacy Vets MC announced the 2nd Annual Fallen Heroes Bagger Ball Dinner and Dance, Raffle of a new Harley, and the Last Man Standing Poker Tournament, to be held at The Bunker.  Tickets to the ball on November 13 are $20.00.  The Harley is a 2011 FLTR Road Glide.  Tickets are $50.00 each, with a limit of 800 tickets.  The tournament will be Texas Hold’em and will be co-sponsored by Cal-Neva, who will supply the equipment and run the tournament.  Dates are 5 November and 12 November.  Buy in will be $120 each, and admission includes 2 Harley raffle tickets.
Reno Parks and Recreation: Terry Bell, senior outreach coordinator announced a free Veterans Day dinner, free to all veterans.  Non-veterans are $10.  All interested must RSVP.

President’s Report
Stand Down (22 October @ VA): Dennis Espinoza, Ron Coleman, and Bob Sperry, called for volunteers to help w/ set-up between 6:00 and 7:00 am.  Bob Sperry offered a motion to provide $200 to pay for a barber was advanced, second Bill Thomas (unanimous).

Veterans Carnival @ Grand Sierra: Scheduled for 10/23 & 10/24 at Grand Sierra.  Chapter 989 will share a booth with Chapter 388 and will split the proceeds.  Set-up will be at 10:00, carnival runs 12:00 – 17:30.

Nevada Day Parade: Carson City on Saturday, October 30.  Float decoration will be 10:00 Friday at Darrol Brown’s office, w/ free lunch for volunteers.  VVA will be #46 in the parade.

UNR Disability Awareness Day (3 November): Participants receive a free lunch.

Veterans Day Parade: Thursday, 11 November, Carson City, 11:00 am.

Veterans Guest House Balloon Release: On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. the Veterans Guest House will honor and remember soldiers exposed to Agent Orange with the release of orange balloons. Members of the community are invited to attend and participate by sending balloons with messages to friends, family members and spouses who suffer or suffered from diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange.

Sparks Hometown Christmas Parade: December 4th , proposed 2 vehicles, a float (borrowed from the Vet Center), and 20 volunteers to represent the chapter.  Troy Stormoen of the Vet Center stated they would support it.

Quilt of Tears: The Quilt of Tears memorializing victims of Agent Orange will be displayed 6 November at Idlewild Park in the California Building.  The Patches walk will begin at 8:00 am at the Washoe County Courthouse and go to the Quilt of Tears.

Vietnam Memorial: A design is still needed for the memorial at the Veterans Cemetery in Fernley.

VVA Newsletter: Bill Thomas presented ideas for the newsletter, seeing it as a networking tool between VVA and other local veterans groups.  He intends to publish an events calendar and called for members willing to write articles.  He can be contacted at SQUERT@sbcglobal.net.  Chapter 989’s website will be piggybacked onto Carson 388’s website.

Marine Corps Ball: Larry Mullin announced the Marine Corps League’s 235th Anniversary of the Corps Ball, to be held at the Peppermill on 6 November.

Vet Center Certificate of Appreciation: Troy Stormoen of the Reno Vet Center presented the chapter with a certificate of appreciation.  The Vet Center’s new address is 5580 Mill.

Vet Center Barbecue: The Vet Center will host an open house and barbecue on October 28 from 4:00 – 7:00.

2011National Convention
Lacy J. Dalton: Bob Primeaux proposed Lacy J. Dalton to sing the Star Spangled Banner at the 2011 VVA national convention in Reno.  The invitation must come from National, so Bob Marshall said he would bring it up at the state meeting.
Golf Tournament: National wants a golf turonament during the national convention.  Bob Primeaux volunteered to speak to his neighbor who has experience organizing golf tournaments.

Good of the Chapter
Ron Hansen asked the meeting to recognize Ron Coleman for his recent hard work on behalf of the chapter.

Applebees offers free meals to vets on 11 November.

Veterans Guest House is operating a $10,000 raffle to raise funds to purchase the house next door for purposes of expansion.  Valorie Nenzel proposed purchasing a raffle ticket for $100, second Ron Coleman (unanimous).

Army-Navy Game Day is December 11.

Motion to Adjourn was offered by Dennis Espinoza, second Mike Miller (unanimous).  Meeting adjourned at 19:21.