I. The meeting was called to order by President James Chappelle at 7:30 PM.
II. The chaplain called for a moment of silence in memory of Richard, the nephew of Mike Lentz, KIA 04/28/10.
III. The bios of the following Vietnam War KIAs were read:
A. Arthur A. Johnson
B. Edward F. Zachowski
C. Daniel J. Yadick
IV. The reading of the minutes of the previous meeting was waived.
V. Treasurer's Report was given by Rich Micucci.
Rich said the chapter is very low on money and all must help with fundraisers.
VI. Committee Reports
A. Community Services - See Newsletter for report
B. ETABO - Jerome Rudman reported the US Dept of Labor's Veterans' Workforce Investment Grants would provide $33 million in 155 grants in June and July to public agencies and non-profit groups in 33 states and DC for skills assessments, job counseling, classroom or on-the-job training, skills upgrading and retraining, and placement assistance. See Newsletter for more details
C. Finance - Report next board meeting
D. Government Affairs - Larry Holman provided a long list of state and federal legislative measures that moved since our April 19 board meeting. Gerald Ney reported on the Senate passing the House's amended Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act and the President signing the Tricare Affirmation Act. See Newsletter for details.
E. Membership Affairs - Steve Uchniat provided the following data:
1. VVA: 1-3 yr members 98
Life member time 2
Life members 163
TOTAL 263
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2. AVVA: 1-3 yr members 20
Life members 17
Other 2
Other life 2
TOTAL 41
F. Minority Affairs - No Report
G. Public Affairs - See Newsletter for report
H. Veterans Affairs - See Newsletter for report
I. Veterans Benefits - See Newsletter for report
J. Women Veterans - See Newsletter for report
K. Agent Orange/Dioxin - See Newsletter for Report
L. Color Guard –
1. participated in memorial dedication ceremony for MOH recipient Frank King at VFW Post 2819 on 04/22.
2. participated in Operation Babylift 35th anniversary ceremony at NJ Vietnam Memorial near Holmdel on 04/24.
3. will provide an honor guard for Grizz Shanaman's funeral in Royersford on 05/07.
4. will participate in Edison High School's Memorial Day ceremony on 05/27
5. will provide a firing party at the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial 05/31.
See Newsletter for further details.
M. Education -
1. Gerald Ney gave 2 internet student interviews, one to an Australian student and sent info to a third.
2. Jon Wright will pick up the "What Memorial Day Means to Me" essays from St. Anselm's on 05/17.
3. He will also participate in Bucks Co. Technical High School's annual "Beyond the Books" Veterans Day. The students prepare questions for the vets.
N. Fund Raising - Steve and Fred have Lotto tickets
O. Newsletter - Sue Justice reported the latest issue is ready and will be mailed tomorrow.
P. Website - Sandy Wright reported that the following have been added
1. May 2010 Newsletter
2. Operation Babylift ceremony pictures to the ALL PHOTOS PAGE
3. more events and benefits news
4. photos from past years to Honor Guard page
5. recent election results updated to Home page.
Q. POW/MIA - No report
R. Product Sales - flags and shirts (including new chapter logo shirts) for sale
S. VA Hospital - Bingo night tentatively scheduled for 06/17.
T. Homeless - New Philadelphia Stand Down site is in Levittown behind Bucks Co. High School.
U. Sunshine -
1. Bob Sterling recuperating from surgery.
2. Alan Brower lost left thumb.
V. House - Chapter home Cleanup Day is 05/20 at 10 AM.
W. AVVA - doing a child safety day at Maternity BVM on 06/06.
X. State Council - meeting date still not settled between 06/05-06 & 06/12/13.
should be locked in by next board meeting.
VII. Correspondence - Thank you from the New Jersey Vietnam Memorial.
VIII. Calendar of upcoming events
A. next Chapter meeting 06/07
B. Chapter board mtg 05/17
C. American Legion Post 738 meeting on 05/18
D. Philadelphia Stand Down Meeting 05/18
E. 173rd Airborne Chapter IV meeting 05/19
F. UVC meeting 05/26 at DV Nursing Home
G. trial of 3 juveniles over defacement of PVVM 05/13 9 AM Court Room D, Phila Family Court
H. Edison High School Memorial Day Ceremony 05/27
I. Memorial Day Ceremony and honoring of Gold Star Mothers at PVVM 5/31
J. State council 06/05-06 or 06/12-13
IX. For the Good of the Order...
Al Mikutis said to collect coins and tokens for Phoenix VAMC in addition to stamps.
X. 50-50 total $102. $51 won by Tom Mangan who donated it back to the chapter.
XI. Meeting adjourned.