Apr 29 2010
April 17, 2010 Meeting Minutes
DRAFT MEETING MINUTES
17 APRIL 2010
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER
VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION
President Gary Hurelle called the meeting to order at 10:35 am at The Blue Canyon Grill on 13th and Washington Streets in Golden, Colorado.
Members Present: Gary Hurelle, Walt Wise, Ed Fickes, Bill Robie, Bill McPherson, John Grauff, John Hargleroad, Rick Beaver, Brian Wold, Hal Bergdahl, Phil Lanphier, Greg Mann and Jim McNamee.
Introductions: Because we had a new member (Bill McPherson from Cripple Creek) in attendance, Gary asked everyone to introduce themselves and state their Vietnam tour details.
The minutes of the March meeting, prepared by Ed Fickes, were approved (Walt Wise moved, Rick Beaver seconded). The Treasurer’s Report for April was approved (Ed Fickes moved, Rick Beaver seconded).
Helicopter War Museum (HWM): Rick Beaver was designated as chairman of the cockpit display build. His main helpers probably will be Jerry Marshall, Bill Robie, and Hal Bergdahl, although everyone is encouraged to help whenever and however they can. The current status is that it is still in the design phase, although we have most of the parts necessary. The big news is that Bill McPherson donated his Huey seat (which he sat in most nights on his deck and smoked a cigar and sipped a single malt scotch), to the museum to replace the damaged one we currently have (see below). Thank you, Bill. Also, John Hargleroad displayed and donated several TM’s and other documents to the museum. Thank you, John.
Current Status: Once the design is completed, which should be soon with Bill Robie and Hal Bergdahl working with Rick on it, Jerry Marshall, Bill, and Rick will build the display.
Missing museum instruments: Bill Robie mentioned that we still need the following instruments for the display:
Vertical velocity indicator
Radio compass
Torquemeter
OMNI indicator
Airspeed indicator
Clock
If any members have any of these instruments that they would be willing to loan or donate to the museum, or if they know where we can get any of them, please get in touch with Bill.
Cripple Creek Armed Forces Appreciation Day: Gary asked Bill McPherson to give an update on what is happening with regard to the August celebration in Cripple Creek. As background, Cripple Creek has held an Armed Forces Appreciation Day for several years to honor veterans and current service members in Colorado. Our chapter has displayed the museum at the celebration for the last 2 years, thanks to the generosity of the city, which has paid for the museum’s transportation expenses and lodging for chapter members who accompanied it. It was a great event for the museum, and for those of us who attended.
Draft meeting minutes, 17 April 2010 (continued)
Unfortunately, the city has elected new leadership, and they have decided to replace the tribute to the armed forces with a motorcycle rally, which will take place August 20th to the 22nd. Because of this development, we will not be displaying the museum.
As a result of these developments, Bill has resigned as the City Manager. However, the city council asked Bill, who served 30 years in the Army, to serve as military liaison. He accepted, and is planning a ceremony at the city’s veterans’ memorial on August 22nd.at 1300. The ceremony will feature a speech by Fort Carson’s Commanding General along with other events. Several of the members present expressed interest in attending, and Bill said he would keep us posted about the details.
Gary asked if there was anything that we, as a chapter, could do about the demise of the armed forces tribute. Bill stated that his wife is the owner, publisher, and editor of the Cripple Creek newspaper (“The Gold Rush Newspaper”), and stated that we could write to the paper and express our thoughts. Bill Robie moved that we send a letter to the editor, and Ed Fickes seconded the motion. The motion passed, with the caveat that we submit the article to appear in the paper after the August event. The chapter secretary will draft the letter. However, members were encouraged to write their own letters prior to the event if they desired.
Helicopter War Museum Venues: As of now, we don’t have any venues set up for the museum this year. That is good in a way, because we are working on the cockpit display. However, that shouldn’t take all summer to complete, and we need to try to set up some venues later this summer and fall. Bill Robie suggested that members should be alert for possible venues and contact Ed Fickes (Operations Officer) or Jim McNamee (Curator) if they have any suggestions. Jim also stated that we should try to arrange more showings at schools because education about the Vietnam War is one of our main purposes for the museum.
Message about AAAA from member Charles Bogle: On a related note, Jim mentioned that he had heard from member Charles Bogle, who mentioned that he is working with the Pikes Peak Chapter of AAAA to reactivate that chapter. He also stated that he was “… hoping we can have an open house at Fort Carson this summer that may include the airfield. More information will be provided as it becomes available. It would be good to touch and feel some of the new equipment and simulators. The (Helicopter War) museum might be of real interest to some of the unit members and families. Vietnam is just history to these ‘kids.’ I (Chuck) sent a message suggesting renewals/new AAAA memberships to RMCVHPA members, but never saw any distribution. For those that who might be interested, AAAA has been successful in getting a number of the NG folks from Buckley as members. There should be some opportunities for some intra generational mutual benefits.” Charles also stated that AAAA renewals can be made through the AAAA website.
Tricare: Walt Wise mentioned that he was keeping up with the budget process in Washington, and it looked as it Tricare benefits would not be affected this budget cycle. However, he said that it was a real possibility that they would be targeted in the future, and that members should stay abreast of developments.
Draft meeting minutes, 17 April 2010 (continued)
Honor Flight Reception: Ed gave an update on the Honor Flight Reception for WWII vets returning from a visit to the WWII Memorial in D.C. scheduled for April 24th at 8:00 pm. He said
that it would be held at the Signature Flight Facility at DIA and that he would send out directions and a reminder on the RMCVHPA Chat Page. He said that he would arrange for coffee and doughnuts, but that the music and other details were being covered by others. He said all that members had to do was show up to meet and greet. He said that members who have participated in the past have had an enjoyable time, and that the veterans were very appreciative.
VHPA Reunion: Rick stated that he is arranging a dinner for Chapter members and guests on Saturday night during the reunion on Coronado Island. The dinner, suggested by Mike Law at a restaurant suggested by member Rex Gooch, is shaping up to be very well attended. You probably have seen the discussions on the Chat Page. Rick is compiling a list of attendees and would like anyone who is interested in attending to let him know. The latest he can accept reservations is on the Thursday of the reunion.
August BBQ: Ed discussed the ongoing plans for an August BBQ for chapter members and also guests from other helicopter flight crew organizations at the Leprino Aviation Hanger at the Rocky Mountain Regional Airport. He stated that the chapter’s master BBQ’er, Don Rice, wasn’t sure which Saturday in August he could get off to do the cooking (he is a pilot for Leprino Aviation), but that the chapter should pick a date and he would see what he could do. The members present decided on August 14th, even though it was 1 week before the regular meeting date, because it would be more convenient for members who wanted to attend the Cripple Creek ceremony (see above). Ed said that he would contact Don and see if that date would work for him.
The members present also discussed who would be invited and how, and who would pay for the event. They decided that we should form a planning committee (Bill Robie and Ed Fickes volunteered to work on it) to identify organizations comprising military combat helicopter crews of any war and send them invitations. The invitations would ask for RSVPs with numbers planning to attend for our planning purposes. The members decided that chapter members would be charged a nominal fee to help cover expenses, and that any excess expenses would be paid for out of the General Fund. The BBQ would be free for guests from other organizations. Greg Mann agreed to help identify the organizations that we should invite. If anyone has any knowledge of local organizations involving combat helicopter crews, they should contact Bill or Greg.
Last Man Standing Organization?: The discussion about the BBQ led to a brief discussion about expanding our organization membership to include, at the minimum, any combat helicopter pilots. This discussion will be ongoing. Bill McPherson said that he also belongs to the North Carolina Chapter, and their membership is open to all military helicopter pilots.
Clothing Sales: Jim stated that he went by our clothing supplier’s location (River Graphics) and it was empty. He tried to call them, but did not get an answer. One of the members stated that Greg McMahon knew a clothing supplier/embroiderer that may be able to help us. (Note: after the meeting, River Graphics returned Jim’s call. They changed their location to 4880 E Pacific Place, near I-25 and Evans. Jim will try to get a catalog and take orders for clothing on May 15th.)
Elections: Jim mentioned that we had one nominee each for president and vice president, but none for secretary/treasurer. After discussion, the president/vice president nominees from the last meeting switched, with Walt Wise becoming the president nominee and Phil Lanphier the vice
Draft meeting minutes, 17 April 2010 (continued)
president nominee. Rick Beaver then nominated Jim McNamee as secretary/treasurer, and Ed Fickes seconded it. Nominations for all three positions are still being accepted. The election will be held at the June meeting, and the new officers will assume their posts in July.
Mullen High School Donation: Phil Lanphier mentioned that the Mullen High School Parents Club donated $200 to the Helicopter War Museum for our participation in the memorial for Vietnam War Medal of Honor winner helicopter pilot CPT Jon Swanson at Mullen HS in October 2009. We will send a letter of appreciation to them.
Next Meeting: The May meeting will be at 10:00 am on May 15th at the American Legion Post No. 1 on I-25 and Yale.
Gary adjourned the meeting at 12:10
Submitted by Jim McNamee, Secretary/Treasurer
Post Meeting Activities:
Lunch after meeting: Most of the members stayed for lunch after the meeting. It should be noted that the Blue Canyon Grill went above and beyond for us, dedicating a server for the entire meeting as well as letting us use the basement bar area for the meeting.
Helicopter War Museum Visit and Donations: After the meeting and lunch, several members (Bill McPherson, John Hargleroad, Gary Hurelle, Ed Fickes, Bill Robie, Hal Bergdahl, Phil Lanphier, and Jim McNamee) met at the museum’s storage site to accept Bill M’s and John’s donations to the museum and have a toddy to toast them.
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