C. L. Elms Post 9951
DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC AREAS
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
12 June, 2010
Amended: 12 July, 2010
1. Commander Oden opened C. L. Elms Post 9951 regular meeting IAW the VFW ritual at 11:05 on 12 June, 2010 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 except for Senior Vice Lake, Trustee One Year Dyste, and Trustee Three Year Hudson. There were 22 members attending.
3. There was no application for Membership to our Post.
4. Minutes were passed out and reading of the minutes of the last meeting was conducted by those in attendance. QM Neutzler made a motion to approve the minutes, subject to correction, and Chaplain Owens seconded it. The motion carried.
5. Quartermaster Neutzler delivered the Quartermaster’s Report for the period 1 through 30 April, 2010 and for 1 through 31 May, 2010. JVC Key moved to approve the reports subject to audit, Comrade Riopel seconded and the motion carried.
6. There were no bills presented for collection.
7. Service Officer Harrison questioned members if anyone knew Stanley Douglas Lowry reference to his wife following up on his death to receive her benefits. Note that Senator Jim Webb is positioning to pass law stopping COLA for all retirees. Noted that information for the Post Web site is needed in order to update site.
8. Comrades in distress: Reported by Officer of the Day Picha, Trustee One Year Dyste was reported to have fallen and had injured his shoulder and claims to be in a normal state and Comrade Duffy is receiving Chemo Therapy for his Colin Cancer and does not look too good. Reported by Cmdr Oden, Trustee Third Year Hudson is experiencing an irregular heartbeat and is going to get an operation to receive a Pace Maker.
9. Committee reports are (a) Membership: Currently 273 of 265 for 103.02%, Comrade Callahan shifted membership to Chang Mai Post (b) Bingo: Bingo Fred announced a Bingo Marathon on 3rd through 4th July starting at 10pm ending at 6am. (c) Buddy Poppies: a receipt of 700 baht was received and $60 was made via Phnom Penh (check is still at location). (d) POW/MIA: Comrade Picha reports: In Palau a WWII aircraft originally carrying 11 personnel was recovered and today’s technology was able to identify 8 of the soldiers. US/Russia and US/China cooperative measure to recover POW/MIA has so far recovered 25 bodies. (e) Community Activities: JVC Key reported – 13 projects, 1095 hours, and 68 volunteers. JVC Key reports 6 members (3 guests) for the total of 9 were present for Memorial Day ceremonies held in Bangkok. Cmdr Oden reported about his trip to South Korea as representative of Department during CINC Tradewell visit. While there he also attended the Loyalty Day Parade at Osan AB and the District 3 Convention. (f) Independence Day: Chairman Rose returned back to America and Comrade Gary Thompson volunteered to take over as Chairman. AmCham next meeting is the 18th June. SVC Officer Harrison volunteered his POV to move items to KIS Int’l School. Cmdr Oden had tickets available for early purchase and announced cost is 200 baht prior and 300 baht at the entrance on 03 July. Adj. Haugh in charge of Posting Colors has identified Chaplain Owens, SVC Officer Harrison and Adj. Haugh thus far to carry flags, need one more member to volunteer. Ms. Kelun (Haugh’s Goddaughter) volunteered to collect Buddy Poppies donations. (g) DPA Convention: Chairman Brazee reported a successful cancelation at the hotel was made with a promise to return if convention next year is hosted by Post 9951. Commander Oden suggested the December Mid-Term Convention could be held at the said hotel. Cmdr Oden praised Chairman Brazee and those who assisted him for their tireless work and efforts – Post Comrades joined in the praises. Post Cmdr extended praise to SVC Office Harrison and Surgeon elect Prenston Gale for their work on the convention book as well, again Post Comrades shared to praise as well. Convention for the Philippines is a GO.
10. Remembrance of our National Home was at 11:50.
11. Old Business: (a) Cmdr Oden reported Gross total ads sold amounted to 41,500 baht with net income after commissions as Baht 38,300. Although no collection yet given by: Delta Air Lines, Bourbon Street (wants to see ad position first) and by the Lookout Inn (to be handled by Trusty Three Year Hudson). Cmdr Oden paid 38,300 baht to QM Neutzler from ads sales. (b) Cmdr Oden reported a request on behalf of JUSMAGTHAI RAO to make correction to April 2010 Post Minutes: “Veterans already on record (being worked) will still be served, RAO cannot accept NEW non-retirees business and must be referred to VFW PSO”. This is nothing new just returning to the jobs with matching responsibilities. With the new leadership at the RAO come the new working hours and days to be served per week. Heavy work load requires RAO and PSO to take on proper customers. PSO Harrison requested office location support as needed to conduct business and attend the needs of the Veterans/Spouses with privacy in tact. Cmdr Oden made it understood that the Office the VFW occupies can support the PSO needs. The only area JUSMAGTHAI cannot support is an additional phone line into the said office.
12. New Business: (a) Election for incoming Trustee Two Year was announced; Cmdr Oden nominated Comrade William Bobbitt, Comrade Bobbitt accepted, no other nominations made, Adj. Haugh casted 1 unanimous vote for William Bobbitt. (b) Election for National Delegate was announced; Cmdr Oden volunteered with no other Comrades able to attend, no vote needed. (c) Post 9951 Delegates for District and Department were chosen for year 2010/2011, results were as follows: SVC Brose’, Adj. Haugh, QM Neutzler, Cmdr Oden, Trustee One Year Harrison, Chaplain Owens, Officer of the Day Picha, JVC Brazee and Advocate Nestle. Delegation letters for District and Department are pending by Post Adj. Haugh. (d) Cmdr Oden advised of receiving a message of accusation made by Comrade Chris Palombi of election fraud at the recent District V meeting. Cmdr Oden fully explained his fault by not properly drafting a Post Delegation letter for the upcoming elections within the allotted time, Cmdr also noted he total forgot with his presence at the District meeting was validation enough to cast the 19 allocated electoral Post vote. Errors were made but have now been rectified by Department Commander calling for new D5 elections. (e) Post 9951 conducted its installation of its 2010/2011 Officers at 1230 hours; Installation Officer was Past Post Commander, Advocate Burt Nestle.
13. Good of the Order: (a) Visitor Bob Latain won the raffle of 1200 Baht cash. (b) Cmdr presented raffle tickets from National incoming Commander for a 1966 Mustang to raise money for the National Commander Homecoming; a second set of raffle tickets were presented from AmCham ID4 celebration for a grand prize of round trip ticket to San Francisco, California by United Airlines.
14. Cmdr Oden closed the meeting at 12:52 IAW with the VFW ritual. The next regular meeting of C.L. Elms Post 9951 will be at 11:00 on 10 July, 2010 in the JUSMAGTHAI conference room.
Richard Haugh
Richard C. Haugh “Hawk”, Adjutant