Minutes, 17 October 2013

Call to Order was at 18:00, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moment of silence for POWs and MIAs.

Prayer. Chapter Chaplain Jim Kelley offered the invocation.

Roll Call. All chapter officers were present.

President: John Sheets

Vice President: Ron Reinhardt

Secretary: Michial Nolan

Treasurer: Gary Fink

Sergeant at Arms: Norm Graham Was absent Roger Sanches sat in.

Attendance: 39 members, 12 guests

New life members David Gregg and Michael Collins were welcomed to the chapter

Guests:

Vietnam veterans Vic Hernandez and Bill Wacker

Troy Stormoen and Cesar Melgerejo, Vet Center, outreach for members to use the services of the Vet Center, and offered thanks for member’s involvement with the Vet Center.

Ryan Geichman, TMCC Student Veterans.

Tim Galluzi, WNC Student Veterans Club, would like to have a veteran’s rep at the 31 October opening of their Veterans Resource Center. The club will be showing the Bravo film at 16:00 on Veterans Day. The Club invited the chapter to send representatives with a moped.

Kenny Bissett, UNR Newspaper, is doing a piece on Vietnam Veterans of America

Kyle Scott, Northern Nevada Veterans Resource Center.

Elizabeth Pope, VA, runs the homeless program, said they currently serve 185 veterans. She reported surveyed veterans thought this year’s stand down was one of the best. Elizabeth gave great credit to Bob Sperry, who she called “amazing.”

Dave Cairns, American legion.

Glenna Smith, Sen. Heller’s Office, announced she was back from the government shutdown-forced furlough and was busy trying to catch up. She reported good news concerning the VA in Nevada: no longer any 2-year-old claims, and only 200 1-year-old claims.

Daniel Reinhardt, son of VP Ron Reinhardt

Minutes. The minutes were distributed electronically before the meeting.

Motion: Jim Kittrell moved to accept the September minutes, seconded by Eric Hobson (unanimous).

Reports.
Treasurer’s Report. Gary Fink presented the treasurer’s report.

Motion. Jim Kittrell moved to accept the Treasurer’s report, seconded by Brett Butler (unanimous).

Petty Cash. President John Sheets presented the Petty Cash report.

Stand Down. President John Sheets reported on the success of the Stand Down:

-VA will reimburse the chapter for the truck rental if we submit the right form.
-Roger Sanchez and Ron Reinhardt did hot dogs and hamburgers.

-Roger, Ron, and Rick Shuster will be reimbursed for direct expenses.

President’s Report. The President’s report was a remembrance of past president Bob Sperry, who was killed interrupting a bank robbery.

President John Sheets Spoke about Bob Sperry, how he stood for veterans past and present. Treasurer Gary Fink was Bob’s neighbor and close friend. Gary remembered a great neighbor who welcomed him to the neighborhood and later brought Gary into Vietnam Veterans of America and Chapter 989.

Roger Sanchez said he knew people at the bank who told him “Bob died like a Marine.”

Rick Shuster stated Bob was “An officer and a gentleman always.”

It was proposed to name scholarships for each of the schools involved in the raffle after Bob.

Horticulture Committee. No report

Nevada State Council Report. Nevada State Council President Terry Hubert presented the State Council Report. The next State Council Meeting was scheduled for Saturday in Tonopah. Terry discussed what could be done for Bob Sperry. Terry noted Bob personified the organization’s motto “In Service to America,” and that Terry had spoken to National President John Rowan about how to honor Bob. Among the suggestions were:

-Name the chapter for him

-a posthumous Commendation Medal (passed around an example of a commendation medal)

Board of Directors Report. Board of Directors chair Rick Shuster reported on upcoming events:

Agent Orange Commemoration:

Veterans to be at the Veterans Guest House at 8:30 am on Veterans Day.

VVA members in uniform

Wreaths Across America

Group from the chapter will ID Vietnam graves

The chapter will do wreaths on Vietnam Vet’s graves.

Chapter 388 Report. No report.

Agent Orange. Rick Shuster will be Nevada Agent Orange representative. Pete Fabiani will be the rep in Southern Nevada. Terry Hubert reported someone bequeathed $0.25 million and the Nevada governor dedicated $12,000 to be used to bring road shows, to enhance education, and to raise awareness of veterans and veterans issues.

Outreach Committee. No report. Next outreach will be 19 October at the Kietzke Wal-Mart.

Northern Nevada Veterans Coalition. Bill Drummond reported the Patriot Guard had been honored by Nevada senators and representatives. He reported on the “Pony Express” delivery of a purple heart and letter delivered cross country (see September minutes) and stated a film was underway documenting the event. On a personal note, Bill stated he knew Bob Sperry personally, and wasn’t surprised that he intervened.

Parade Committee. Roger Sanchez presented the report on upcoming events:

Ceremony for WWII veteran John Irwin at the cemetery on 25 October. Chapter will stand guard.

Carson City State Day parade will be 26 October in Carson City. Members invited to march, in or out of uniform, or to ride the Vet Center trailer.

Roger was working on scheduling an appearance at a school that wants to honor Vietnam Vets.

UNLV at UNR: John Dickinson and Ron Coleman to sell raffle tickets.

Veterans Day Parade, 11 November, in Reno.

Miscellaneous. A letter from Bradley Litton was circulated that advocated for a Vietnam Veteran license plate.

Stand Down Report. Ron Reinhardt presented the report:

Cards of Condolence for Bob Sperry’s family were circulated.

Pictures of this year’s stand down were circulated.

Next year’s stand down will be held at the same location.

Even greater success is expected for next year.

Veterans Guest House. Noreen was not present. Rick Shuster presented the VGH report as part of the Board of Directors report.

Banquet Committee. John Dickinson reported on progress for this year’s Thanksgiving pot luck:

All members and significant others welcome.

A sign-up for menu items was circulated.

A fund raising raffle will be held at the dinner:

Flat Screen TV.

2 dinners from Hobey’s in Sun Valley.

Trying to get Boy Scouts to do KP in exchange for a donation.

The chapter gave John a big hand for his efforts.

Old Business.

Website. Gary Fink passed maintenance of the website to John Dickinson. John stated the password will be for members only. John asked for those with comments to contact him on the website.

Raffle. Scheduled events:

UNR-UNLV game on 26 October (see above).

TMCC: The chapter can set up the scooters on campus on Tuesdays from 11:00 – 2:00 pm.

John Sheets invited all members to take tickets to sell for the raffle.

Roger Sanchez reported member Gary Romanski sold ~20 tickets in 4 days.

Wreaths Across America. Rick Shuster reported we need to respond immediately with our intentions and order.

Motion. Rick Shuster presented a formal written motion:

$300.00 to Wreaths Across America for Dec 14 Laying of Wreaths at Fernley Veterans Cemetary.

Eric Hobson seconded the motion (unanimous).

Vietnam Memorial. No report.

Outreaches. Next outreach will be 19 October at the Kietzke Wal-Mart (see above).

New Business.
Previously covered.

Birthdays.
The following members celebrated birthdays this month:

Mike Edwardson Gary Fink Patrick Moran, Bill Wedlake Kenny Williams

Good of the Chapter.

Greg Montalvo: The Order of the Purple Heart has posters for members of organizations.

Motion. Jim Kelley moved to send flowers to Bob Sperry’s family, seconded by George Bright. Passed (Unanimous).

Motion to Adjourn. Pat Moran moved to adjourn, seconded by Jim Kittrell (unanimous). Meeting adjourned at 19:24.