December 8, 2017
Commander Gary Walker opened the meeting at 7:30 and welcomed everyone. List is attached.
Roll Call of Officers:
Commander Gary Walker
1st Vice Commander Bob Nakamura
2nd Vice Commander, Larry Douglas, excused
Adjutant Larry Granish
Chaplain Otis Chapman
Finance Officer Dave Hodgeboom
Service Officer Rose Hodgeboom
Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Lindsey
Judge Advocate Dave Hodgeboom
Historian-Donna Lowery, excused
Minutes of November 10, 2017approved as posted on website.
Lt. Robin Swales, Olympia Salvation Army, Associate Corps Officer spoke on the mission of the Salvation Army and how she came to the ministry. She is the Veterans Ministry Coordinator and as such has outreach to the Lacey Veterans Hub. She showed a short video on the Salvation Army in Thurston County since 1889.
Commander Walker presented her with a Legion coin and thanked her for coming and her support of veterans in the county.
· Membership. Adjutant Larry Granish reported that membership is at 151/226, 66.8% of goal. Application for DMS transfer of Jeanine Nordeen, Army, Vietnam was read. Jeanine spoke about her military career and her current practice as a dentist in the community. Motion made, seconded and passed to accept her as a member of the Post.
· Finance Officer Dave Hodgeboom reported general fund of $5,4,509.94 and Evergreen Boys State at $843.19.
· Service Officer Rose Hodgeboom reported that she has filed 3 Intent to file; and 5 claims. She explained changes in TFA that now require Legion membership for eligibility.
· First Vice Commander Mike Nakamura reported on the Troop and Crew and how we support them and they support us.
· Judge Advocate Dave Hodgeboom reported on Department legal issues.
· Karen Grundler reported on steps we will be taking with local high schools for Evergreen Boys State and Girls State. She stated that we are looking to work with Post 100 to make sure all high schools in the Lacey/Olympia/Tumwater area are covered and we are able to fund as many boys and girls as possible.
· Sick Call, Chaplain Otis Chapman reported that he had contacted a widow of one of our former members and the problems she encountered with the Army after her husband’s death. She eventually was referred to and received help at the Lacey Veterans Hub.
Business and Correspondence:
· Property boundary adjustment. Commander reported that we are working with the County to finalize the adjustment. He met with the planning office yesterday and the indicated the need for three small adjustments. Our surveyor will have it to County next week.
· We handed out 82 food baskets to 80 families at the Stand Down, last month. 120 turkeys were also donated by a Tacoma company. We will also hand out food baskets at the Hub on December 22.
· Department Mid-Winter Executive Committee Meeting will be Saturday, February 3 at the Olympia Red Lion. Four Chaplains service will be in the Puget Room at 8:30 and E-board in the Cedar/Hemlock rooms from 9:00 to 1:30. Auxiliary E-board will be in the State Room and SAL will be in the Puget room at the same time.
Good of the Legion:
· Dave Hodgeboom reminded everyone to keep an eye on Veterans issues in the budget and Tri-Care
· Rose Hodgeboom spoke on the family we helped during the Stand Down.
· Bob Clark, Post 49, thanked us for the invite. He spoke on his experience at National Legion College and invited everyone to take advantage of the free Legion Boot Camp course available on mylegion.org.
· Jose Vargas reported that the application deadline for the USCG Academy is January 15, 2018 for class of 2022. If you know of someone who may be interested you can contact Jose for assistance.
· Karen Grundler spoke on the American Lake Gift Shop. Unit 94 will be hosting the 4th District Luncheon on January 8.
· Commander spoke on the presentation of a flag that was flown over Normandy to WWII veteran during the Veterans Day ceremony at the Capitol. Bill McLaughlin has a second flag for a WWII veteran who wasn’t able to be at the Capitol and would like to present it to him at our January meeting. Fred Parker, 95, lives in Lacey and flew two missions on D-Day.
There being no further business, Commander Walker the meeting was closed at 8:45.
Gary Walker Larry Granish
Commander Adjutant
