Rocky Mountain Chapter – VHPA

President Ed Fickes called the meeting to order at the Englewood Municipal Golf Course Club House, 2101 W Oxford Ave, Englewood, CO, 80110 at 1035 hours. The meeting was scheduled to be held at 1000 at Fort Logan VFW Post 9644, 2680 W Hampden Ave, Sheridan, CO, 80110, but no one was there when we got there and the building was locked. Jim McNamee arranged for the last minute venue change.

Minutes and Treasurer’s Report. Secretary/Treasurer Jim McNamee presented the minutes from the August 18th meeting, which were approved without changes (Motion-Al Harinck, Second-Roger Patterson). Jim also presented the Treasurer’s Report for September and explained the footnotes. The report was approved (Motion-Roger Patterson, Second-Rick Beaver).

December VA Hospital Visit. Jim reported that he had contacted the VA Hospital about having our fourth annual holiday cookie party, and that they were interested. The date they suggested was December 15th. Jim also contacted member Greg Mann to see if he planned to have his annual Christmas party this year, and if the 15th worked for him. Greg stated that he would love to have the party again, and that the 15th was a good date.

Roger Patterson made a motion that we hold the party at the VA on the 15th, and Al Harinck seconded. Jim will notify the VA and Greg.

(Note–When Jim contacted the VA to confirm the date, the VA representative remembered that the Hospital was holding its annual holiday party that day, so we would have to change the date. Jim and Ed conferred and decided on December 8th, which the VA confirmed. Greg also agreed to the date change for his party. We will set up at the Hospital on December 8th at 1330, and the veterans will begin to appear at 1400. We plan to shut down after 1600, with Greg’s party at his house after that. Details for both events will follow.)

Helicopter War Museum to San Antonio VHPA Reunion? Ed reported on his efforts to find out about the feasibility of taking the museum to the VHPA reunion in San Antonio, Texas, July 2-6, 2008, as discussed during the August chapter meeting. He stated that he and Mike Law had been in contact with the VHPA Executive Council, who approved the museum’s appearance subject to Ed signing a resolution basically absolving VHPA of all responsibility and liability (see attachment). After discussion, including that below, Roger made a motion to approve signing the resolution, as long as it does not commit us to go, and Jim seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

During the discussion, Ed stated that he has talked with the California Chapter North, which is planning to take its trailer (the “Mobile Officer’s Club”) to the reunion and has been scouting sites. They believe that they have found a suitable site across from the reunion hotel that would be big enough for both trailers. They also stated that they had no objection to sharing the space.

Ed stated that our trucking partner would be willing to take the trailer there and back for $2,000 plus driver’s expenses in San Antonio (e.g. room and board). This is a considerable bargain, but still a big expense that we currently do not have the funds to cover. In addition to the transportation costs, the museum would need a bigger air conditioner than the one it currently has. Ed has obtained a quote for an air conditioner that would double the capacity for approximately $900.

Also, it would be nice to have a roll down canopy for shade. Ed stated that he has found a new awning that would cost $700. Other options were discussed, including getting one from a wrecked RV, building one that would attach to the trailer door (Rick Beaver has thought about how to do this), or using a tarp that Steve Swaim donated. Ed will explore these options.

Ed stated that we should try to find someone to underwrite these costs. We need to have funding before we can commit to going, and Ed proposed setting a go/no go decision date. After discussion, the date was set for 30 April 2008. Ed will continue the logistics planning.

Rick proposed an alternative venue for the museum for July 4th if we don’t take it to San Antonio. Fort Lupton is going to dedicate a war memorial that day, and they have invited us to have the museum there. Ed will consider this alternative in his planning.

Finally, Ed mentioned that he, Mike, and Jim had drafted an article about the museum for the VHPA Aviator, but that it will not be included in the nest issue because of a communications mix up with the editor. They are considering working on an expanded article for a future issue. The upcoming issue will include an abbreviated paragraph about the chapter and the museum, one of only three chapter updates that will appear in the issue.

Dues Initiative. Membership chairman Walt Winters gave Jim 11 checks from members for 2007 (and, in most cases) 2008 dues. Jim mentioned that the checks were in response to a mailing that Brian Foote made reminding members that they had not paid their 2007 chapter dues. As a result of Brian’s efforts, the chapter general fund has at least $380 more in it. However, we still have several members who have not paid their dues for 2007 (gentle reminder). 2008 dues ($20) will be due starting in January, although members can prepay, of course.

Mike Silva in Iraq. Ed mentioned that Mike Silva has a blog (mikehelicoptersilva.blogspot.com) that he updates every Friday. Ed also provided Mike’s e-mail address (michael.a.silva3@us.army.mil). Mike is a chapter member that flew the Channel 4 news helicopter until he volunteered to return to active duty and serve in Iraq. Mike is on a 400 day tour. Good Luck, Mike.

Wooden Models. The members discussed the question of what fund was to receive the proceeds from model sales, as first discussed at the August meeting. Jim reported that he had spoken with Bill Robie, the model sales coordinator, and that Bill had stated that the funds were not to be credited to the operating account, but to the maintenance and development account. This agreed with what the members present at the August meeting and this meeting remembered. However, Roger stated that the original intent, established at a chapter meeting, was to apply the funds specifically to the exterior decoration of the trailer. The members could not agree on this, so Jim was directed to look through the prior minutes to see if he could find a record of the decision. The issue was then deferred for discussion at the October meeting.

1st CAV annual reunion June 9-13, 2010. The reunion site has been changed from Colorado Springs to Bloomington, Illinois.

Flag hand salute by veterans. Ed mentioned that recent legislation has authorized the rendering of a hand salute to the flag by veterans, whether or not they are in uniform. Brian recently had a NOTAM about this on the chapter website (vhparmc.org).

Chapter Website. Brian Foote reported that he and his son have been having some problems with the website, but that they are making progress. He has made several improvements and is still working on it. However, he has looked at statistics about site hits, and has noticed that, although a lot of people around the world look at the site, it does not appear that many members do it as a matter of routine. Members should check the site periodically for news of past and upcoming events.

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

November 10, 2007–Greeley will have its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Saturday, November 10th, in Bittersweet Park. We have displayed the museum there for the last 2 years, and Ed reported that they would like to have us there again. Ed suggested that we have the museum there, setting it up at the park on Friday afternoon beginning at 1500. We would open the museum at 0800 on Saturday and break it down starting at 1500. (Note–We would close briefly at 1100 for the 20 – 30 minute ceremony.)

The members present voted unanimously to have the museum at the ceremony in Greeley on November 10th (Motion-Roger Patterson, Second-Jim McNamee).

Members who would like to help set up or secure the museum, or serve as museum docents on Saturday, should contact Ed or Jim.

November Meeting. Ed suggested that we have the November meeting in Greeley on the 10th, in conjunction with the event above. After discussion, the members present voted unanimously to have the meeting at the museum site in Bittersweet Park at 1400 hours. (Motion-Roger Patterson, Second-Steve Swaim). Details will follow.

October meeting venue–Ed asked for ideas for a location for the October meeting. Al Harinck mentioned that he and Brian and their wives recently took the Royal Gorge train lunch trip and thoroughly enjoyed it. He recommended it as an October meeting alternative. Brian seconded the idea, stating that we needed to have more social events. Brian agreed to check on the rates and schedule and report back to Ed. (Note–subsequent research found that October 7th is the last date for the train this year. Therefore, Ed is considering scheduling this event for the spring. He has arranged for us to have our October meeting at the Fort Logan VFW Post 9644, 2680 W Hampden Ave, Sheridan, CO, 80110 on October 20th at 1000 hours.)

Assistance to Returning Veterans. Rick Beaver talked again about his work on a project with trauma counselors from the People House of Denver (see last month’s minutes). Rick mentioned that they are working on a fundraiser for People House, and that he will provide more information in the future. Meanwhile, anyone who is interested in the project or the fundraiser should contact Rick. Rick mentioned that they are now contacting judges and other legal professionals to discuss the approach as an alternative to jail.

Ed adjourned the meeting at 12:00 pm.

Jim McNamee, Secretary/Treasurer

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