C. L. Elms Post 9951

Department of Pacific Areas

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

7 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120

11 May, 2009


  1. CDR Owens opened a C. L. Elms Post 9951 regular meeting IAW the VFW ritual at 11:00 on 09 May, 2009 in the Conference Room of JUSMAGTHAI located at 7 South Sathorn Road in Bangkok, Thailand.

  2. There was a roll call of officers and all were present or properly excused. There were 23 members attending.

  3. There were no applications for Membership to our Post.

  4. Copies of the minutes of the last meeting were distributed to those in attendance. Trustee Hudson made a motion to approve the minutes, subject to correction, and JVC Key seconded it. The motion carried.

  5. Quartermaster Oden gave the QM Report for the period 1 through 30 April 2009. Comrade Neutzler moved to approve the report, subject to audit. Advocate Nestle seconded and the motion carried.

  6. There were two bills for District V; a wreath for Comrade Sprague funeral and a wreath for the U.S. Memorial at River Kwai. Both bills were in the amount of Baht 500 each, the bills were passed to QM Ooppapan for payment by District V at the upcoming Convention on 16 May at the Tara Hotel. No action required by membership.

  7. Service Officer Harrison gave short report on status of the work completed at the school in Chaiyaphum before the teachers went on holiday. He will visit monthly and advise of progress on the school lunchroom. RAO Officer Dyste gave report on COLA, negative 3.78% for the year. Also postage will increase to $0.44 on May 11th, 2009. Dyste also advised that Thai Immigration is expecting to move from Suan Phlu to Chaeng Watthana sometime this year. They will locate in the same complex as the Thai Passport Bureau.

  8. Comrades in Distress: Comrades Leroy Johnson and Jim George are still confined to home care.

  9. Committee reports are: (a) Membership: Our goal for this year is 261. We now stand at 265 members for 101.53%. (b) Bingo: $257.14 received. (c) Buddy Poppies: Donations from the March meeting totaled $2.57, the donation can and Poppies were available for donations. (d) POW/MIA: Comrade Picha gave short report on identification of 7 remains from Korea and 1 from Vietnam. He also spoke of the Change of Command at JPAC at the Consular Compound on 17 September 2009. (e) Community Activities: JVC Key mentioned a good turnout and enjoyable trip to Kanchanaburi for ANZAC Day and laying a wreath at U.S. Memorial near the River Kwai. (f) Independence Day: Comrade Lake is Chairman, tentative the I-Day celebration will be held at Sanam Pao on Phaholyothin Road. VFW will be responsible for Flag Detail, booth selling beer and hamburgers and we expect to volunteer the wives group to handle Bingo. (g) Webmaster: Comrade Petersen has loaded photos from the Prostheses Donation in March and the April minutes, he is working on the photos from trip to Kanchanaburi. (h) Safety Officer: Cdr. Owens reminded everyone to wash hands to prevent spread of Swine Flu, a good habit anyway. Stay away from crowds and be aware of dangers of flying in commercial aircraft on long trips.

  10. Remembrance of our National Home was at 11:50.

  11. Old Business: (a) Cdr Owens reminded and encouraged members to attend the District V Convention being hosted by Post 9951 at the Tara Hotel on 16 May 2009, starting at 09:30 a.m... Also the Cooties will hold their Scratch on Friday evening, 15 May 2009 in the Special Forces Safe House located above the Lone Star Bar in Washington Square, starting time is 17:30 hours. (b) Cdr Owens thanked all those who attended the ceremonies in Kanchanaburi, we had 31 VFW member and 5 guests on the bus for the ceremonies and lunch. (c) Entertainment Chairman Hudson advised that due to his move and holidays there was no update on proposed VFW sponsored Happy Hour for JUSMAG. All members of JUSMAG have been very supportive of the initiative and it will be addressed later. (d) A sheet for Booster Ads was circulated and 1 additional signature was collected for a total of 52; after 30 signatures the rebates kick in. (e) Cdr Owens reminded everyone of Memorial Day ceremonies coming: 22 May at U.S. Embassy; 31 May at New Road and Christ Church cemeteries. JVC Key will contact Vicar of Christ Church to secure permission for the VFW to assemble there.

  12. New Business: (a) Newly elected Post Officers were installed according to the VFW ritual by past District Commander (District II) Harry Brose’. (b) Delegates were elected for the District V Convention to be held on Saturday, 16 May 2009. Primary: James Picha; Alternate: David Neutzler. Delegates were also elected for the Department of Pacific Areas Convention to be held 14-19 June 2009, in Angeles City, Philippines. Primary: David Neutzler; Alternate: Wayne Harrison. (c) Cdr Owens mentioned that due to the untimely demise of District Commander Hubbard that SVC Hudson was now District Commander and JVC Owens was now SVC. Discussions were held on best candidate to nominate for JVC and Post Commander Chiang Mai and former Post 9951 member Michael Holmes appeared to be a good choice. Membership agreed and conveyed that information to Post Delegates. Final nominations will be held at the District V Convention in May. (d) Discussion for voting on officers running for Department of Pacific Areas offices followed. The two major offices are for JVC and Quartermaster. Current QM Tony Powers and Grand QM Hilliard are seeking the office, after discussion it was recommended the Post support candidate Hilliard. There are three (3) candidates for JVC, Swierzewski, Hirshbein and Davis. No consensus could be reached as to best qualified, Delegates were recommended to meet and discuss issues with all three and vote for their choice.

  13. Good of the Order: (a) Comrade Andy Cobbs presented a check in the amount of US$300 to the Post Relief Fund. This was a reimbursement of funds granted to Comrade Cobbs when he was in tight financial situation. The donation is greatly appreciated and the Post is always available to assist worthy comrades in need. (b) Comrade Stoker won the raffle of Baht 1,200.00 cash. (c) Commander Owens asks for donations for Buddy Poppies and the Post Relief Fund, Baht 60 was donated and will be reported in the QM financial for May.

  14. CDR Owens closed the meeting at 12:30 IAW with the VFW ritual. The next regular meeting of C.L. Elms Post 9951 will be at 11:00 on 13 June, 2009 in the JUSMAGTHAI conference room.

FOR THE COMMANDER:



James Oden

James Oden, Adjutant