C. L. Elms Post 9951

Department of Pacific Areas

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

7 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120

21 April, 2009



  1. CDR Owens opened a C. L. Elms Post 9951 regular meeting IAW the VFW ritual at 11:10 on 11 April, 2009 in the Conference Room of JUSMAGTHAI located at 7 South Sathorn Road in Bangkok, Thailand.

  2. Prior to opening the general order of business, the Post Charter was draped in memory of the passing of Frank M. Sprague. Comrade Picha gave a short eulogy about the work done by Comrade Sprague in the RAO office for Widows and Orphans over many years.

  3. There was a roll call of officers and all were present or properly excused, SVC Brose’ and JVC Key were ill, Trustee 3-year Hudson absent. There were 16 members attending.

  4. There was one application for Life Membership transfer to our Post, Comrade Ronald D. Brickerd, Air Force, DAO, US Embassy. There were three applications for Annual Membership to our Post, Comrade Daniel B. Rodriquez; Comrade Dang Ooppapan; Comrade John H. McWaters Jr. all three Army. After committee report and discussion Advocate Nestle motioned that we approve the applications and Service Officer Harrison seconded, the motion carried. We welcomed Comrades Brickerd, Rodriquez, Ooppapan and McWaters to the post. Rodriquez, Ooppapan, McWaters and Comrade Donald Whiting were presented with the Cross of Malta as a sign of membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

  5. Copies of the minutes of the last meeting were distributed to those in attendance. Surgeon Picha made a motion to approve the minutes, subject to correction, and Comrade Stoker seconded it. The motion carried.

  6. Quartermaster Oden gave the QM Report for the period 1 through 31 March 2009. Quartermaster Oden also gave a Quarterly report for the period 01 January through 31 March 2009. Comrade Neutzler moved to approve the reports, subject to audit. Advocate Nestle seconded and the motion carried.

  7. There were three bills presented, funeral wreaths for Comrade Frank Sprague (Baht 500) and District V Commander Hubbard (Baht 800); ANZAC Day wreath to the Australian Embassy (Baht 500). Comrade Neutzler motioned to pay the bills and Surgeon Picha seconded, motion carried.

  8. Service Officer Harrison gave update report on status of the work being done at the school in Chaiyaphum. RAO Officer Dyste gave report on COLA and changes in Tricare for widows. Also postage will increase to $0.44 on May 11th, 2009 and he needs stamps. Tax forms are available at the RAO Office.

  9. Comrades in Distress: Comrade Leroy Johnson is out of BNH and home but still weak from pneumonia.

  10. Committee reports are: (a) Membership: Our goal for this year is 261. We now stand at 262 members for 100.38%. (b) Bingo: No additional funds. (c) Buddy Poppies: Donations from the February meeting totaled $3.94, the donation can and Poppies were available for donations. (d) POW/MIA: Comrade Picha gave short report on recovery of remains from North Korea. (e) Community Activities: The Post made a donation to Prostheses Foundation on 24 March 2009 at the Thai Tekka Chinese Temple in Nonthaburi, just across the river from Bangkok. Donation was Baht 20,000 plus 5 kilos of pull tabs. Members attended the funeral of District Commander B.K. (Hub) Hubbard and the 65th Birthday Bash of Comrade Bear Hudson in Pattaya. (f) Independence Day: Comrade Lake advised that site location has been narrowed to two, they hope to finalize by next meeting on 24 April 2009. (g) Webmaster: Comrade Petersen has uploaded photos and sent soft copy of Photo for Convention Book Ad. (h) Safety Officer: Cdr. Owens reminded everyone of the hazards of the Thai New Year, Songkran; water thrown at motorcycles, dirty water from ditches, and drinking while partaking of festivities.

  11. Remembrance of our National Home was at 12:00.

  12. Old Business: (a) Cdr Owens reminded webmaster/historian that we need a group or action photo to give District for the Convention Book. (b) Kanchanaburi trip on 25 April has been finalized; bus will leave from Washington Square at 07:00. Charges will be Baht 300 each person for VFW member and spouse/friend, additional pay Baht 500. The same charges apply for AVWCT members and spouse/friend. Non VFW/AVWCT members pay Baht 500. Children under 12 free. (c) A sheet for Booster Ads was circulated and additional 2 signatures were collected, we now have a total of 33 from Post members. Advocate Nestle turned in a sheet of 16 names of Supporters from Washington Square, payment pending. Rebates kick in at 30, so we are now in a positive position for booster ads. Convention Book ads are lacking. (d) District V Convention will be held in Bangkok hosted by Post 9951, convening at 09:30 on Saturday, 16 May 2009. This year it is a one day event with business and nomination of Officers in the morning, election and installation in the afternoon. All Post members are encouraged to attend. Arrangements have been made to hold the Convention at the Tara Hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 26, Taratip Rooms 1 and 2. (e) Cootie Scratch will be held 17:00 hours Friday, 15 May. Place TBA, suggestion is SFA Room above Lone Star, arrangements to be finalized.

  13. New Business: (a) Nominations for Post 9951 officers were continued for the 2009-2010 year. Following comrades were nominated and accepted: Commander: Ooppapan/Oden; SVC: Brose’/Ooppapan; JVC: Key; QM: Neutzler; Advocate: Nestle; Surgeon: Dyste/Picha/Brose’; Chaplain: Owens; Trustee 3-year: Hudson. Prior to close of nominations, Comrade Ooppapan withdrew his acceptance for Commander; Comrade Picha withdrew his acceptance for Surgeon. Nominations were closed and elections held. (b) Results of Post elections for 2009-2010 were as follows:

    Commander: James Oden

    SVC: Nuttaporn Ooppapan

    JVC: Arthur Key

    QM: David Neutzler

    Advocate: Burt Nestle

    Chaplain: Robert Owens

    Surgeon: Harry Brose’

    Trustee 3-year: Bear Hudson

    (c) For clarification, Trustee 2-year is Wayne Harrison; Trustee 1-year is John Dyste. Installation of the new officers will be at the May 2009 meeting. (d) Commander Owens thanked everyone for supporting him during his two years as Post Commander and pledged his continued support of the Post as Chaplain. (e) Don’t forget that JPAC is holding a Change of Command Ceremony at the Embassy Sala on Friday, 17 April. LTC Craig Tippins will be taking command from LTC Peter Huddle, all members are invited and VFW Chaplain will lead prayers. (f) Memorial Day Services will be held at the US Embassy flagpole on Friday, 22 May 2009, make plans to attend. VFW Post 9951 will hold Memorial Services at the New Road Cemetery and Christ’s Church, Convent Road on Sunday, 31 May, 2009. Transportation will be provided from Jusmag that morning leaving about 10:00 a.m. please join us.

  14. Good of the Order: (a) Comrade Picha won the raffle of Baht 700.00 cash and donated it back to the Post for whatever use necessary. (b) Commander Owens asks for donations for Buddy Poppies and the Post Relief Fund, Baht 90 was donated and will be reported in the QM financial for April.

  15. CDR Owens closed the meeting at 12:50 IAW with the VFW ritual. The next regular meeting of C.L. Elms Post 9951 will be at 11:00 on 09 May, 2009 in the JUSMAGTHAI conference room.

FOR THE COMMANDER:





James Oden

James Oden, Adjutant



C. L. Elms Post 9951

Department of Pacific Areas

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

7 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120

21 April, 2009



  1. CDR Owens opened a C. L. Elms Post 9951 regular meeting IAW the VFW ritual at 11:10 on 11 April, 2009 in the Conference Room of JUSMAGTHAI located at 7 South Sathorn Road in Bangkok, Thailand.

  2. Prior to opening the general order of business, the Post Charter was draped in memory of the passing of Frank M. Sprague. Comrade Picha gave a short eulogy about the work done by Comrade Sprague in the RAO office for Widows and Orphans over many years.

  3. There was a roll call of officers and all were present or properly excused, SVC Brose’ and JVC Key were ill, Trustee 3-year Hudson absent. There were 16 members attending.

  4. There was one application for Life Membership transfer to our Post, Comrade Ronald D. Brickerd, Air Force, DAO, US Embassy. There were three applications for Annual Membership to our Post, Comrade Daniel B. Rodriquez; Comrade Dang Ooppapan; Comrade John H. McWaters Jr. all three Army. After committee report and discussion Advocate Nestle motioned that we approve the applications and Service Officer Harrison seconded, the motion carried. We welcomed Comrades Brickerd, Rodriquez, Ooppapan and McWaters to the post. Rodriquez, Ooppapan, McWaters and Comrade Donald Whiting were presented with the Cross of Malta as a sign of membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

  5. Copies of the minutes of the last meeting were distributed to those in attendance. Surgeon Picha made a motion to approve the minutes, subject to correction, and Comrade Stoker seconded it. The motion carried.

  6. Quartermaster Oden gave the QM Report for the period 1 through 31 March 2009. Quartermaster Oden also gave a Quarterly report for the period 01 January through 31 March 2009. Comrade Neutzler moved to approve the reports, subject to audit. Advocate Nestle seconded and the motion carried.

  7. There were three bills presented, funeral wreaths for Comrade Frank Sprague (Baht 500) and District V Commander Hubbard (Baht 800); ANZAC Day wreath to the Australian Embassy (Baht 500). Comrade Neutzler motioned to pay the bills and Surgeon Picha seconded, motion carried.

  8. Service Officer Harrison gave update report on status of the work being done at the school in Chaiyaphum. RAO Officer Dyste gave report on COLA and changes in Tricare for widows. Also postage will increase to $0.44 on May 11th, 2009 and he needs stamps. Tax forms are available at the RAO Office.

  9. Comrades in Distress: Comrade Leroy Johnson is out of BNH and home but still weak from pneumonia.

  10. Committee reports are: (a) Membership: Our goal for this year is 261. We now stand at 262 members for 100.38%. (b) Bingo: No additional funds. (c) Buddy Poppies: Donations from the February meeting totaled $3.94, the donation can and Poppies were available for donations. (d) POW/MIA: Comrade Picha gave short report on recovery of remains from North Korea. (e) Community Activities: The Post made a donation to Prostheses Foundation on 24 March 2009 at the Thai Tekka Chinese Temple in Nonthaburi, just across the river from Bangkok. Donation was Baht 20,000 plus 5 kilos of pull tabs. Members attended the funeral of District Commander B.K. (Hub) Hubbard and the 65th Birthday Bash of Comrade Bear Hudson in Pattaya. (f) Independence Day: Comrade Lake advised that site location has been narrowed to two, they hope to finalize by next meeting on 24 April 2009. (g) Webmaster: Comrade Petersen has uploaded photos and sent soft copy of Photo for Convention Book Ad. (h) Safety Officer: Cdr. Owens reminded everyone of the hazards of the Thai New Year, Songkran; water thrown at motorcycles, dirty water from ditches, and drinking while partaking of festivities.

  11. Remembrance of our National Home was at 12:00.

  12. Old Business: (a) Cdr Owens reminded webmaster/historian that we need a group or action photo to give District for the Convention Book. (b) Kanchanaburi trip on 25 April has been finalized; bus will leave from Washington Square at 07:00. Charges will be Baht 300 each person for VFW member and spouse/friend, additional pay Baht 500. The same charges apply for AVWCT members and spouse/friend. Non VFW/AVWCT members pay Baht 500. Children under 12 free. (c) A sheet for Booster Ads was circulated and additional 2 signatures were collected, we now have a total of 33 from Post members. Advocate Nestle turned in a sheet of 16 names of Supporters from Washington Square, payment pending. Rebates kick in at 30, so we are now in a positive position for booster ads. Convention Book ads are lacking. (d) District V Convention will be held in Bangkok hosted by Post 9951, convening at 09:30 on Saturday, 16 May 2009. This year it is a one day event with business and nomination of Officers in the morning, election and installation in the afternoon. All Post members are encouraged to attend. Arrangements have been made to hold the Convention at the Tara Hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 26, Taratip Rooms 1 and 2. (e) Cootie Scratch will be held 17:00 hours Friday, 15 May. Place TBA, suggestion is SFA Room above Lone Star, arrangements to be finalized.

  13. New Business: (a) Nominations for Post 9951 officers were continued for the 2009-2010 year. Following comrades were nominated and accepted: Commander: Ooppapan/Oden; SVC: Brose’/Ooppapan; JVC: Key; QM: Neutzler; Advocate: Nestle; Surgeon: Dyste/Picha/Brose’; Chaplain: Owens; Trustee 3-year: Hudson. Prior to close of nominations, Comrade Ooppapan withdrew his acceptance for Commander; Comrade Picha withdrew his acceptance for Surgeon. Nominations were closed and elections held. (b) Results of Post elections for 2009-2010 were as follows:

    Commander: James Oden

    SVC: Nuttaporn Ooppapan

    JVC: Arthur Key

    QM: David Neutzler

    Advocate: Burt Nestle

    Chaplain: Robert Owens

    Surgeon: Harry Brose’

    Trustee 3-year: Bear Hudson

    (c) For clarification, Trustee 2-year is Wayne Harrison; Trustee 1-year is John Dyste. Installation of the new officers will be at the May 2009 meeting. (d) Commander Owens thanked everyone for supporting him during his two years as Post Commander and pledged his continued support of the Post as Chaplain. (e) Don’t forget that JPAC is holding a Change of Command Ceremony at the Embassy Sala on Friday, 17 April. LTC Craig Tippins will be taking command from LTC Peter Huddle, all members are invited and VFW Chaplain will lead prayers. (f) Memorial Day Services will be held at the US Embassy flagpole on Friday, 22 May 2009, make plans to attend. VFW Post 9951 will hold Memorial Services at the New Road Cemetery and Christ’s Church, Convent Road on Sunday, 31 May, 2009. Transportation will be provided from Jusmag that morning leaving about 10:00 a.m. please join us.

  14. Good of the Order: (a) Comrade Picha won the raffle of Baht 700.00 cash and donated it back to the Post for whatever use necessary. (b) Commander Owens asks for donations for Buddy Poppies and the Post Relief Fund, Baht 90 was donated and will be reported in the QM financial for April.

  15. CDR Owens closed the meeting at 12:50 IAW with the VFW ritual. The next regular meeting of C.L. Elms Post 9951 will be at 11:00 on 09 May, 2009 in the JUSMAGTHAI conference room.

FOR THE COMMANDER:





James Oden

James Oden, Adjutant