MINUTES OF MEETING

                                                            Date: 8 Jan 08

 

Meeting Called to Order: at 1933 hrs.

Chamber Secured: at 1933 hrs.

Pledge of Allegiance: at 1934 hrs.

Chaplain’s Opening Prayer: at 1935 hrs.

 (Began recording: at 1935 hrs.)

 

ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS:

 

Ø      President (Pat)….Present

Ø      Vice President (Joe Y.)…Present

Ø      Treasurer (Joe F.)…Excused (sick)

Ø      Secretary (Frank)…Present

Ø      Sergeant at Arms (John Dorell)…Excused

Ø      Membership Chairman (Dennis O.)…Present

Ø      Quartermaster (Ken)…Present

Ø      Chaplain (Rick L.)…Present

 

  • John LeGates/ State President…Present
  • Mike Vecchio/ State Council…Present

 

·        Nov. ’07  Meeting Minutes distributed to those present. Minutes accepted.

·        No meeting in Dec. ’07, due to the annual Christmas Party.

 

Treasurer’s Report        No Report

 

 

Secretary’s Report         No Report

 

 

President’s Report / Mailbox & Comments 

 

* Pat reviewed and shared with the members present all correspondence, including      Invitations; Bills to be submitted for payment, and Thank You letters, especially, from Mary Cole; the young lady we supported from B-R High School, for her Girl Scout Gold Award project: ‘The Tour of Honor,’ in Washington D.C. for WWII Veterans.

* Invitation from VFW Post 2290 in Manville, to attend the annual Vietnam War Veterans Ceremony on Sun., Jan. 27th at 1000 hrs. with a brunch to follow. Uniform of the day is white chapter shirt, black pants and beret.

* The State Scholarship Program was explained, offered by the Holmdel Memorial. This is offered to current high school seniors.

* The Chapter received our rebate check from the State Council.

 

Old Business

 

Scholarship Committee made their report:

 

The Scholarship Committee reported good  progress, including the letters completed to be sent to local high schools. A lengthy discussion ensued, regarding possibly altering the number of scholarships the chapter should consider; perhaps increasing the number, so those less fortunate can participate; while ensuring children of the chapter’s membership are still given preference. The total number granted would be a change to the by-laws, requiring membership approval. The overall costs were discussed, including the states’ reimbursement, as well as the reaction of potential respondents in the past, who may have felt the process was a worthless exercise with nothing resulting from their efforts. The intent is to offer five (5) scholarships (instead of the usual 4) at $500 each. The final outcome agreed to see what the response is to the letters, before we vote on the final number of scholarships to award.

 

Pat distributed information and explained in detail the intent of the Manville H.S. Veterans Program on Thurs., Jan 10th, in which some of the members will participate.

 

New Business

 

  • John LeGates gave an update about State-level activities. He spoke about the activities presented and discussed at the State Council Presidents Meeting in Colorado.
  • At the National level, their direction in providing needed funds to State Councils, the VVAF, and other activities will be decreased (by ~ $5,000), putting more of a burden on state & local chapters to do more fund raising. As a result, John obtained access to ‘The Veteran’ magazine’s advertising rate. We are considering buying a chapter add in ‘The Veteran’ magazine.’ Chapter 452’s ‘Survivor Shirt,’ is being considered since the chapter owns the right to the design.
  • The Sate will soon have an electronic version available (Feb. 1st) of the former State Council Newsletter, ‘The Forward Observer.’ This will be published six (6) times a year.
  • The website at the State level is also being redone and will soon be rolled-out with links to all the chapters throughout the counties.
  • Scholarship funds appear to be sufficient to reimburse the chapters for their programs.
  •  Joe Y., Kenny & Bill T. gave an update about Operation Jersey Cares activities. Refer to their website for upcoming event dates and details: http://www.operationjerseycares.org
  • Pat spoke about the Bocci Tournament Fund Program he is involved with; event is scheduled during the summer in Colonial Park. More details will be given at future meetings.
  • It was agreed and second to grant Kenny permission to purchase a new tent for upcoming Street Fairs.
  • It was agreed to consider another trip to Atlantic City, possibly in April. John O. will follow-up with details. A final date will be decided at the next meeting.
  • Pat presented branch-of-service pins to all present…Thanks Pat.

 

Important Upcoming Events

 

v     Thurs., Jan. 10th, Vet Program at Manville H.S. at 0830 hrs.

v     Sat. & Sun. Jan. 12th –13th, NJ Motorcycle Show at the Exhibition Center in Somerset. Set-up is Friday night at 1730 hrs.

v     Thurs., Jan. 17th, Next visit to PTSD ward at Lyons at 1900 hrs.

v     Sun., Jan. 27th, Vietnam War Veterans Ceremony at VFW Post 2290 in Manville at 1000 hrs.

v     Tues., Feb. 12th, Next monthly Chapter meeting at 1930 hrs.

v     Sun., Feb. 24th, Next State Meeting, Wildwood, NJ.

v     Dinner/Dance for ’08 will be April 5th at VFW Post 2290 in Manville – 6PM.

 

For the Good of the Order

 

v     Thoughts and prayers for Dennis O’s, Father, who recently underwent surgery and two fellow Marine friends of Pat’s.

 

Closing Proceedings

 

  President moved to close the proceedings.

 

  Hand Salute. Closing prayer led by Rick L.

 

              Meeting was adjourned at 2045 hrs.

 

              Yours in Comradeship,

      Frank P. / VVA 452 Sec. [Aid-de-Camp]

 

                                                MINUTES OF MEETING

                                                            Date: 13 Nov 07

 

Meeting Called to Order: at 1933 hrs.

Chamber Secured: at 1933 hrs.

Pledge of Allegiance: at 1934 hrs.

Chaplain’s Opening Prayer: at 1935 hrs.

 (Began recording: at 1935 hrs.)

 

ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS:

 

Ø      President (Pat)….Present

Ø      Vice President (Joe Y.)…Absent

Ø      Treasurer (Joe F.)…Present

Ø      Secretary (Frank)…Present

Ø      Sergeant at Arms (John Dorell)…Present

Ø      Membership Chairman (Dennis O.)…Present

Ø      Quartermaster (Ken)…Present

Ø      Chaplain (Rick L.)…Present

 

  • John LeGates/ State President…Present
  • Mike Vecchio/ State Council…Present

 

·        Previous Meeting Minutes from the Oct. Meeting were not available; therefore, a brief verbal review took place.

·        John LeGates made available material, including information on men’s health that was obtained from National HQ, during the ‘The Wall’ weekend 25th Anniversary event.

 

Treasurer’s Report

See Meeting Minutes in e-mail version

 

Secretary's Report

 

None

 

President’s Report / Mailbox & Comments 

 

Pat reviewed and shared with the members present all correspondence, Thank You notices; checks & bills received.

 

Old Business

 

Scholarship Committee will try to convene and report on their progress at the Jan. ’08 meeting.

 

New Business

 

John Dorell gave an update about Operation Jersey Cares activities. Refer to their website for dates and details: http://www.operationjerseycares.org

 

Discussed plans for the Chapter Christmas Party, next month, starting ½ hour earlier (7 PM).

The Chapter will take care of the refreshments. All members and family are welcome. Please bring a covered dish.

 

Discussed plans for the Dinner/Dance in ’08. Based on hall availability at VFW Post 2290, it will be scheduled for April 5th, 2008.

 

Due to any perceived impropriety that may exist, it was agreed and voted on to remove Operation Shoebox from the 452 website.

 

John LeGates, Rick Loften, Dennis and John O. gave an update about the parade and events at the 25th Anniversary celebration of ‘The Wall.’

 

Important Upcoming Events

 

v     Thurs., Nov. 15th, PTSD at Lyons at 1900 hrs.

v     Sat., Nov. 17th, Holiday Packing Ship-Out by OJC at the Am. Legion Post in Bradley Gardens.

v     Dec. 1st, Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the NJ Vietnam Memorial in Holmdel at 1800 hrs.

v     Dec. 7th, Pearl Harbor Ceremony at VFW Post 2290 in Manville at 1900 hrs.

v     Dec. 11th, Chapter Christmas Party starting at 1900 hrs.

 v     Tues., Jan. 8th, next Monthly Chapter Meeting at 1930 hrs.

 v     Thurs., Jan. 10th, Manville H.S. Veterans Program at 0830 hrs. (To be Confirmed)

 v     Sat. & Sun., Jan. 12 & 13th, Annual Motorcycle Show at the Garden State Exhibit Center     (To be Confirmed)

 v     Thurs., Jan. 17th, next Lyons PTSD visit.

 

For the Good of the Order

 

v     Menlo Park VA hospital Veterans and the two (2) injured Servicemen aided by OJC.

 

Closing Proceedings

 

  President moved to close the proceedings. Closing prayer led by Rick L.

      

              Meeting was adjourned at 2025 hrs.

 

            Yours in Comradeship,

     Frank P. / VVA 452 Sec. [Aid-de-Camp]

 

 

                                                MINUTES OF MEETING

                                                            Date: 11 Sep 07

 

Meeting Called to Order: at 19:32 hrs.

Chamber Secured: at 19:32 hrs.

Pledge of Allegiance: at 19:33 hrs.

Chaplain’s Opening Prayer: at 19:34 hrs.

 (Began recording: at 19:35 hrs.)

 

ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS:

 

Ø      President (Pat)….Present

Ø      Vice President (Joe Y.)…Excused (attending 9/11 Concert)

Ø      Treasurer (Joe F.)…Present

Ø      Secretary (Frank)…Present

Ø      Sergeant at Arms (John Dorell)…Present

Ø      Membership Chairman (Dennis O.)…Present

Ø      Quartermaster (Ken)…Present

Ø      Chaplain (Rick L.)…Present

 

  • John LeGates/ State President…Present
  • Mike Vecchio/ State Council…Present

 

·        Previous Meeting Minutes from the June Meeting reviewed and accepted.

·        Dennis O. distributed New Membership List to those members present.

·        John LeGates distributed our Newsletter to members present (mail service problem with postage size & weight).

 

Treasurer’s Report

No Report

 

Secretary’s Report

No Report

 

President’s Report / Mailbox & Comments:  Pat D.

 

First Meeting since returning from summer break. Pat welcomed all upon their return.

Pat also gave thanks to Mike Vecchio for hosting the Summer Picnic in Aug. at his home. Pat then proceeded to go through all the mail / correspondence received over the summer. Many worthwhile invitations to Memorial Day Parades for 2008 in other townships, however, most conflict with our parade schedule.

 

Old Business:

None

 

New Business:

 

Spoke about Chuck Arnold, retired Army MSgt., now responsible for the Veterans Health Line; possible invite to have him to attend a 452 meeting and explain the program – Pat will contact him.

 

Donation made to the local Bridgewater H.S. student, Mary Cole, who is raising funds to arrange charter buses to Wash D.C. for WWII veterans to visit the WWII Memorial. The membership present agreed to send her a $100 donation for her appreciated efforts.

 

American Legion Post in New Providence is in need of constructing handicapped facilities. A $ 100 donation will be given (agreed upon by the membership) in the name of a local fallen Marine, LCPL. Chris Cosgrove from Picattiny Arsenal.

 

John Dorell gave an update about Operation Jersey Cares activities and the dinner planned at The Aqua Ristorante for the handicapped Marine & Soldier and their families, that OJC’s is supporting. This is following the Basilone Parade at 1700 hrs.

John also showed the Iraqi flag presented to OJC from troops overseas. Check out OJC’s website for other important dates and activities. http://www.operationjerseycares.org

 

* John LeGates discussed the logistics for the 25th Anniversary & Parade at ‘The Wall’ (Nov. 10th). If members wish to go they must contact John and send in a deposit for seats on the bus, BEFORE Oct 15th. A separate e-mail will follow.

 

Chaplain’s duties reported by Rick Loften.

 

Brief update from Ted Dima about activities in process with Purple Heart Chapter 27. 

Check out… http://www.mophch27.org

 

Important Upcoming Events:

 

v     Sat., Sept. 15th, Lambertville, NJ, 1230 hrs. Stone Monument / Flag Pole Dedication Ceremony (Ball Field on Main St./Rt. 179). In memory of Charles Danbury, deceased Vietnam 1963, one of the 16 in the county who gave their all.

v     Sun., Sept. 16th, Commerce Ball Park – Salute to Veterans Day, 1215 hrs.

v     Sun., Sept. 16th, POW-MIA Ceremony at Manville Post 2290, 1800 hrs.

v     Thurs., Sept. 20th, PTSD at Lyons VA Hosp., 1900 hrs.

v     Sun., Sept. 23rd, John Basilone Parade, Raritan, NJ, 1230 hrs., step off at 1300 hrs.

v     Sun., Oct. 7th, Somerville Street Fair, set-up 0830 hrs./breakdown 1700 hrs.

v     Tues., Oct. 9th, Next Chapter Meeting, 1930 hrs.

v     Sun., Nov. 11th, Veterans Day service in Flemington, time & place TBD.

v     Tues., Nov. 13th, Next Chapter Meeting, 1930 hrs.

v     Thurs., Nov. 15th, PTSD at Lyons VA Hosp., 1900 hrs.

 

For the Good of the Order:

 

v     Our prayers and good wishes for improved health for Mike Vecchio, Pat DeChirico and Tom Bender and other members that may have been mentioned not noted here. They are all in our prayers.

 

Closing Proceedings:  President moved to close the proceedings.

      

            Meeting was adjourned at 2022 hrs.

 

            Yours in Comradeship,

     Frank P. / VVA 452 Sec. [Aid-de-Camp]