Rocky Mountain Chapter – VHPA

President Ed Fickes called the meeting to order at 12:20 pm at Love-Airs Drake Field in Ault, Colorado. The Chapter was displaying the Helicopter War Museum at the Rocky Mountain Big Bird Festival, a model aircraft fly-in.

Minutes and Treasurer’s Report. Jim McNamee presented the minutes from the June 16th meeting, which were approved without changes (Motion-Lyle Borders, Second-Roger Patterson). Jim also presented the Treasurer’s Reports for June and July and explained the footnotes. Roger Patterson suggested that future reports show a bank balance and also a checkbook balance so that outstanding obligations, such as checks, are shown on the face of the report instead of in the footnotes. Jim agreed that it would be a more clear presentation of financial status and will do it on future reports. The reports were then approved (Motion-Roger Patterson, Second-Lyle Borders).

Wooden Models. Jim stated that the model fund balance is free and clear of all obligations and that we should consider transferring some of the funds to whichever account the Chapter originally intended for the sales to benefit. The consensus of the members in attendance was that the model profits were to be deposited in the museum account. However, the members were not sure if the funds were to go to the maintenance and development fund or the operating fund. The question was deferred until the September meeting.

Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Regional Fly-in. Ed and Jim discussed the museum’s appearance at the EAA Regional Fly-in at Front Range Airport on June 22-24. The fly-in was very well attended and there were steady visitors to the museum, many of which were children, throughout the event. However, donations were relatively low.

Assistance to Returning Veterans. Ed mentioned a letter that the newly appointed VHPA Chapter Liaison Officer, Jack Salm, had forwarded to him from a VHPA member in Virginia about an Outreach Plan for returning combat veterans. Ed had forwarded the letter to Chapter members earlier for discussion at this meeting. During the ensuing discussion, Lyle Borders mentioned that he works with the Armed Forces Foundation, a Washington, D.C. based organization that, among other things, organizes big game hunts for handicapped veterans. He has been on one of the hunts, and recommends them. If anyone knows someone who is eligible, contact Lyle.

Rick Beaver mentioned that he is working on a project with trauma counselors from the People House of Denver. Rick stated that “…People House is a non-profit organization that provides non-denominational spiritual training and support and mental health counseling including affordable counseling for those without health insurance or the funds to pay for it. Thirteen of the counselors are trained in advanced protocols for trauma therapy. This technology is more effective than all forms of talk therapy and can often clear the debilitating effects of trauma, including PTSD, in as few as 1 to 3 sessions….” He will discuss this more at the September meeting.

Future Meetings/Events. Ed discussed future meetings/events, as follows (mark these dates on your calendars):

June 9-13, 2010–The 1st CAV will hold its annual reunion in Colorado Springs. Ed mentioned that his might be a good venue for the museum.

November 10, 2007–Greeley will have its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Saturday, the 10th, in Bittersweet Park. We have displayed the museum there for the last 2 years. Ed will check to see if they would like to have us there again and report back at the next meeting.

July 2008–The VHPA Reunion will be in San Antonio, Texas. Ed asked whether there was any interest in displaying the museum at the reunion because it is closer than the next few scheduled reunions. He stated that it would be a good opportunity to share the museum with VHPA members and possibly get more memorabilia and donations. He asked that members think about the idea and we will discuss it at the September meeting. He will check on cost and also touch base with the VHPA Executive Council.

October/November meeting venues–Ed asked for ideas for the fall meetings. Lyle mentioned that we should consider meeting in conjunction with other veterans groups, such as the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

December VA Hospital Visit–Ed asked if there was interest in doing the Christmas Cookie Fest at the VA Hospital again this year (we have done it 3 years in a row). The members voiced interest, and Jim McNamee will check with the VA to see if they are interested.

September Meeting–The meeting will be held on Saturday, September 15th at 10:00 am at Fort Logan VFW Post 9644, 2680 W Hampden Ave, Sheridan, CO, 80110.

Ed adjourned the meeting at 1:00 pm.

Jim McNamee, Secretary/Treasurer

Six members were in attendance at the meeting. (Note for draft only–They were Ed Fickes, Jim McNamee, Rick Beaver, John Grauff, Roger Patterson, and Lyle Borders.).

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