R.V. VAN SCHOICK
AMERICAN LEGION LACEY POST 94
2602 Marvin Road SE, PO Box 5639Lacey, WA 98509-5639
(360) 459-0150
Commander Service Officer Adjutant
Gary Walker Rose Hodgeboom Larry Granish
(360) 867-1839 (360) 491-3621 (360) 459-5545
walkersolympia@comcast.net rhodgeboom@comcast.net lgrani@comcast.net
August 9, 2019
Meeting was opened by Commander Walker at 7:30.
Rose Hodgeboom and Peggy McHugo conducted Auxiliary Charter draping in memory of Corky Cunningham.
Roll Call of Officers:
Commander Gary Walker
1st Vice Commander Eric Strom
2nd Vice Commander Bob Nakamura
Adjutant Larry Granish
Chaplain Otis Chapman
Finance Officer Jose Vargas
Service Officer Rose Hodgeboom
Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Lindsey, excused, Jose Vargas, pt
Judge Advocate Dave Hodgeboom
Historian Len Tobin
Minutes of June 14, 2019 meeting approved as posted on website.
Peggy McHugo, Unit 138 introduced.
MG John Hemphill, USA Retired, past 7th ID Commander was introduced and escorted forward. General Hemphill is a member of Pat Tillman Post 53 in DuPont. He spoke on the Corps of Discovery, Washington State Patriotic Day and the Korean War. Sergeant John Ordway was the first sergeant of Rogers and Clark’s Corps of Discovery and his statue on JBLM is the only statue of an enlisted man on a military installation. MOWW’s massing of the colors has been changed to Washington State Patriotic Day. It is the Saturday closed to Washington’s birthday in February. Everyone is invited to participate. General Hemphill spoke on his experiences during the Korean War.
Commander Walker presented General Hemphill with a Legion Coin.
Committee Reports
· Adjutant Granish reported that membership is currently 109. Our 2020 goal has not yet been received.
· Dave Hodgeboom presented the financial report as of July 31. Current available balance is $2.181.75. Boys State balance is $95.00. Dave and Jose Vargas will complete turnover on August 15.
· First Vice Commander Eric Strong spoke on his experience at the Department Legion College in Ellensburg last weekend. He encouraged post members who have not yet attended to consider attending next year.
· Second Vice Commander Bob Nakamura spoke on support of Troop 1208. He stated that he plans to invite the curator of Ft Lewis Museum about giving a presentation to the Post.
· Chaplain Otis Chapman reported that Karen Grundler is home from the hospital and doing better. He also reported on Donna Lowery.
· Service Officer Rose Hodgeboom reported that over 30 claims have been processed through the Veteran Service Hub by service officers from the post (Rose, Gary Walker and Len Tobin). The homeless veterans population in Thurston County is going down. The Lacey Veterans Hub will celebrate three years in October.
Business and Correspondence
· Commander Walker spoke on the National Commander’s Dinner we hosted. We had a profit of $518.93. He proposed that we disperse this profit as follows:
o Troop 1208, $100.
o Educator of the Year nominees $200 (4 nominees at $50, each)
o Balance divided between Boys State Fund and purchase of some new chairs.
· Motion made, seconded and passed to accept the Commander’s recommended dispersal of funds.
· Adjutant Granish presented a proposed change to Article III, Section I of our by-laws to bring them in compliance with the recently passed LEGION Act that changed the dates of eligibility. Instead of multiple conflict dates, any veteran who served honorably at anytime since December 7, 1941 is now eligible. The proposed change will be posted on our website and a final vote on acceptance will be held at our October meeting.
· Aaron Breitbarth stated that he has a public relations background and he and Jose Vargas are interested in being appointed to a post public affairs committee. There was a discussion on ways to implement a public affairs program. Len Tobin stated that he was also interested in helping. Commander appointed Aaron, Jose and Len to such a committee.
· Commander Walker reported that the application for a post Home Depot project has been submitted that will replace windows and banisters/railings on the porch has been submitted. There is a project scheduled on September 20 for Army Vet David Gray to replace his deck, steps and back fence.
· Commander Walker reported on Ian Buck’s proposed Eagle project to paint the post.
· Membership Awards Night will be Friday, September 13. The steaks have been ordered. Applications have been received for Law Officer, Firefighter and Volunteer have been received. We are still awaiting the EMT candidate. Motion made, seconded and passed to approve selection the applicants as Law Officer, Firefighter and Volunteer of the year. Commander stated that there will be a planning meeting at the post at 5:30 pm, Tuesday.
Good of the Legion:
· Memorial for Corky Cunningham will be held at the post on August 24 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.
· Post 3 is celebrating 100 years.
· VFW Post 318 will host an event recognizing a 95 year old combat medic on September 1 at 4:00 pm.
· Dave Hodgeboom was elected Alternate National Executive Committeeman at the Department Convention. Commander Walker was recognized and the Blue Cap Legionnaire of the Year. The Post was received the Special Olympics and Community Service awards.
There being no further business, Commander Walker closed the meeting at 9:01 pm.
Gary Walker Larry Granish
Commander Adjutant
