Rocky Mountain Chapter – VHPA

DRAFT MEETING MINUTES

May 15, 2010

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER

VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION

President Gary Hurelle called the meeting to order at 1015 at American Legion Post Number 1. Present were Hal Bergdahl, Rick Beaver,  Walt Wise, John Hargleroad, Brian Wold, Greg Mann, Robert Brightwell, Fred Lyssy, Brian Foote and yours truly Ed Fickes, who acted as secretary. Brightwell paid or repaid his 2010 dues, which Fickes will deposit on Monday.

Approval of April minutes was motioned by Mann – 2^nd by Wold …unanimous.

Approval of Treasurer’s Report was motioned by Fickes – 2^nd by Wise…unanimous. Fickes added he received a check not listed for the 2010-11 Museum Tags and his purchase of cookies, water and coffee cups for last months Honor Flight ‘Welcome Home’. He mentioned and it was agreed by all that it went extremely well and all who attended and helped greet the WWII Vets were rewarded by the experience. The September Honor Flight date has been set and will be for a Sunday to D.C. and Monday return to avoid the weekend crowds at the WWII Memorial. Also Stan Cass is taking applications for next April’s trip from veterans.

A short discussion of the cockpit installation was held and an excellently detailed ½ scale model assembled by Bergdahl (thankyou), was used to determine that size will probably require the cockpit to be placed forward in the trailer at the bar-end/window side to avoid traffic congestion. Email from Bill Robie, who was unable to attend detailed his ability to: Get the following -  seat  tracks, seat belt floor attachment castings, and pedal adjustment knob for $50…  Air speed indicator,  and possibly a course indicator – $20 each. Membership voted to authorize Robie to obtain all these items for the project. Further Robie mentioned that Chip Parfet leased the area where we now have the trailer stored to a third party.  We need to move the trailer by the end of May.  Chip has offered a replacement location about 500’ further east, along his rear property line, just to the west of his back shop building and just south of the irrigation ditch and Hwy 58.   The location is pretty well visually blocked from 8^th St. by 2 buildings, but is not fenced.  We can get electrical power from his shop building at no cost. Membership voted to have Robie take Mr. Parfet up on his offer – at least for the short run. Also Robie said he may be able to find someone in the Golden area with a tractor cab unit to move the trailer and is here asked to do so – if Robie has a problem locating a tractor/driver he is to contact Fickes who will find one. Robie is to contact Beaver or Hurelle to help supervise the relocation.

Also Robie is asked to find a Golden location (Buffalo Rose or Blue Canyon) for the June meeting and invite Chip Parfet for a free lunch and a thank you for his help over the years. After the meeting weather permitting, Beaver would like to have a work session at the new Museum location.

Beaver asked the membership to authorize Fickes to purchase a second ceiling vent fan for the Museum, if the leak can’t be fixed in the last original vent – membership approved. Other discussion on the ‘technical aspects” of the Museum/Cockpit were held after the meeting adjourned.

Email from Don Rice concerning confirmation of the August 14^th date for the Chapter BBQ at the Leprino’s Hanger at Metro/Jeffco Airport was reviewed and the Chapter voted to hold the BBQ and August Meeting on that date. Greg Mann will attempt to contact other combat helicopter crewmembers and invite them to attend. Chapter members and all others will be asked to RSVP to Greg Mann, g_e_mann@yahoo.com   with the number of family and friends attending, as we believe 75 – 80 is the maximum number we can serve and handle at the hanger. Members and guests will have preference and be asked to bring a covered dish, side or desert to share…as well as their beverages of choice (just as at past BBQ’s)…Any invitees will be asked to only bring their interest in conversing with a group of old Vietnam Helicopter Pilots and sharing stories and good times. The Chapter will cover the costs related to the meat, basic BBQ accompaniments, condiments, extra beverages, soda and water.  I believe the Start time is the same, food service beginning at 1100hrs – 1200. A short membership meeting will be held at some point. Final details on the BBQ will be available after the June meeting.

Meeting was adjourned at 1130…Most members stayed, some to discuss the Museum, most BS and tell a few lies over a drink or two.

Respectfully Submitted,

Ed Fickes Substitute Secretary

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