This is the Chapter's meeting report Web Page
Meeting report for October 8, 2009
The meeting was called to order by the Chapter President Desi Arnaiz at the Prince William County Animal Shelter.
Other attending Chapter officers were Vice President Gordon Tassi and Secretary Bob Pace.
Other attending member’s, associates and guests were Brad Bradshaw – VVA, Darrell Harvey – VVA, Ginger Harvey – AVVA, Ron Knowles – VVA, Bob Laine – VVA and Fred Tompkins – VVA.
Desi requested the attendees stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Inspirational opening – Some inspirational words were said by , Ron Knowles to open the meeting.
Secretary – Report for September 2009 was accepted.
Treasurer – Bob reported for Tony that the Chapter’s checking account has a balance of $4,499.73.
For more information email Tony at tonymidgett@comcast.net.
AVVA Report – Ginger reported the Chapter has 11 VVA members now.
The reported on the Virginia State Council meeting she went to on September 18 – 20, 2009 in Richmond, VA.
Ginger also spoke about her upcoming trip to Operation Standown in Tenn.
Committee Reports - Membership – Darrell reported on the Chapter’s VVA membership.
No other reports at this time.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Virginia State Council meeting – Darrell and Gordon reported on Virginia State Council meeting that was held on September 18 – 20, 2009.
Darrell and Gordon both reported that the guest speakers at the council meeting, Commissioner Vincent Burgess of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services and Mr. Charles Sepich, Director of the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical
Center in Richmond provided excellent briefings on a variety of issues pertinent to veterans and their families.
Chapter cleanup of Hillendale Dr. - Clean up of Hillendale Rd. to take place on October 17, 2009 starting at 8:30 am. Meet in the commuter parking lot behind the Fire Station at corner of Dale Boulevard and Hillendale Drive.
Veterans Day Parade –Fred updated everyone on the first annual “Greater Manassas Veterans Day Parade” to be held November 7, 2009.
Fred said that 50 to 60 units (maybe more) would be in the parade. For more information about the parade contact Fred by email at: fgtompkins@verizon.net.
Chapter booth setup at the Aden Rd. Tank Farm - National Museum of Americans in Wartime, President & CEO Craig Stewart, has given the Chapter the ok to have a booth setup October 24 & 25 at the NMAW Open House at the Aden Field (aka Tank Farm). The address is, 13906 Aden Road Nokesville, VA, 20181-2930. Setup time to be between 8:00 – 8:30 AM.
NEW BUSINESS
Scholarship Program 2010 – A motion was made for the Chapter to offer two $500 scholarship for the year 2010. The motion passed.
The start date of the year 2010 scholarship program is to be January 1, 2010 with the cut-off date being March 31, 2010.
Updated Chapter scholarship forms are to be posted on the Chapter’s web site as soon as the Scholarship Committee has reviewed the forms and made any needed changes.
Wreath Laying – A motion was made to hold a wreath laying October 31, 2009 the weekend before Veterans Day weekend. The motion passed.
The wreath would be placed starting at 10:00 am on October 31, 2009 at the Manassas Veterans Memorial that is located on the grounds of the Manassas Museum at 9101 Prince William St, Manassas, VA 20110 - Cross Streets: Between Main St and Battle St.
VVA National’s Annual Tent on the Mall – Dates for this years VVA – National’s membership tent to be setup on the Mall (Washington, DC) for Veterans Day are November 10 & 11, 2009.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Virginia Department of Veterans Services – Brad Bradshaw and Ron Knowles both reported that DVS Claims Agent is available to help with filing VA claims on 2nd & 4th Thursdays at VFW Post 7589 - 9304 Centerville Rd. Manassas, Virginia.
Also Bob said that Jason Williams – Veterans Claim Agent with the Virginia Department of Veterans Services is also available to help with filing VA claims. You can reach Jason at USMC Base Quantico, VA, by phone 703-630-2811 or email at –
Jason.williams@dvs.virginia.gov . Jason has an office on USMC Base Quantico, in the basement of Little Hall.
Replacement Holiday Food Basket Program – Fred reported that Chapter member Jerry Martin would be looking into contacting someone at USMC base Quantico, VA for idea’s for a new program the Chapter may like to start up over the holidays.
Chapter Holiday Dinner – Darrell is going to looking into setting up a Chapter Holiday dinner this year.
He is going to try to setup a date and time at the “Charboil Grill” at 14239 Potomac Mills Road, Woodbridge, VA as we did last year. More information to come on this.
Inspirational closing –Some inspirational words to close the meeting were said by Ron.
Next Meeting - The Chapter's next meeting will be held on November 12, 2009 at 7:30 PM in the Prince William County Animal Shelter Training Room. For more information call Bob at (703) 680-1329 or email - rpace261@aol.com.
Respectfully submitted by -
Chapter Secretary: Bob Pace
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) is the nation's only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely to the needs of Vietnam-era veterans and their families. VVA's, founding principle is "Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another."
To contact the Chapter write to:
Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #617
P.O. Box 266
Woodbridge, VA 22194
This is the Chapter's meeting report Web Page
