Nov 30 2010
DRAFT MEETING MINUTES 20 NOVEMBER 2010
DRAFT MEETING MINUTES
20 NOVEMBER 2010
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER
VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION
President Walt Wise called the meeting to order at 10:00 am at American Legion Post #1, I-25 and Yale Avenue.
Members Present: Walt Wise, Ed Fickes, John Grauff, Brian Foote, Phil Lanphier, Fred Lyssy, Hal Bergdahl, Gary Hurelle, John Hargleroad, Bill Robie, Carl Cavalluzzi (new member), Dave Parvin (returning member), and Jim McNamee.
The minutes of the October meeting were approved (Ed Fickes moved, Gary Hurelle seconded). The Treasurer’s Report for November was approved (Walt Wise moved, Brian Foote seconded).
Fort Carson Military Retiree Appreciation Day, October 16–Jim McNamee mentioned this event again, stating that, although this was only a 4-hour event, we had over 200 visitors to the Helicopter War Museum (HWM). Many of them were Vietnam veterans and Retired Enlisted Association members. He stated that the cockpit display was a hit with the women visitors from the REA as well as the kids.
Tribute to Vietnam Era Veterans at Prairie View High School—Jim again mentioned that the students and faculty of Prairie View High School, 12909 E. 120th Ave, Henderson, CO 80640 are planning a tribute to Vietnam Era Veterans on Friday, April 8, 2011 from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Chapter members voted at the September meeting to take the HWM to the tribute. Jim and Ed are coordinating the museum’s appearance with Mr. Kelly Gonzales of Prairie View. Ed has arranged with Mr. Gonzales for us to display the HWM for 2 days, April 7 and 8, so that more students will be able to tour it. He will be sending out a duty roster soon to make sure we have enough members to help set up the HWM on Wednesday, docent it for both days, and pack it up on Saturday morning. Member Bill McPherson of Cripple Creek, CO, will probably have his UH-1M gunship there, too. Chapter members can help docent it, as Rick Beaver did in Cripple Creek in 2009.
During the discussion, Vice President Phil Lanphier asked if it would be possible to move the cockpit display outside during the event so that more students could experience it without creating a logjam inside the HWM. Bill Robie said that it was feasible, and the members decided to look into the possibility. They also decided that Jim should look for and buy a 10’X10’ 3-walled tent to house the exhibit in case of inclement weather. Jim also mentioned that he would like to improve the HWM exhibits to make them more educational for students, which was discussed in conjunction with the National Vietnam Commemoration events mentioned below.
Jim will distribute a flyer about the Prairie View event in the near future. He asked that members spread the word in the veteran community. Jeff Roy has already distributed an announcement to the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) local chapters.
National Vietnam War Commemoration Events/Welcome Home in 2011: Jim mentioned that he had gotten more information from Charles Bogle (member from Westcliffe, CO) about the Vietnam Veteran Welcome Home ceremony to be held at Fort Carson on June 10, 2011. His committee has arranged for a Traveling Wall to be present for 7 to 9 days, including June 10th.
Draft Meeting Minutes, 20 November 2010, continued
(Note—As previously noted—Ed has arranged with the AVTT Traveling Wall Organization for us to display the HWM whenever the wall is being displayed in our area.) In addition, Charles said that the US Vietnam War Commemoration Commission (mentioned in last months’ minutes) has committed to hold events at Fort Carson during that time frame. This is going to be a big event, and we plan to have the Helicopter War Museum there.
Jim mentioned that Charles has been in contact with one of the DOD organizers and provided him with the contact information. The Commission is very interested in educational possibilities in conjunction with this 5-year Commemoration, and there is a possibility that we could receive some grant money from them to improve the HWM. Walt asked for volunteers to join him in seeking a grant, and Fred Lyssy and Phil Lanphier volunteered. The committee will update the grant documents that Fred and Jim previously prepared and proceed from there.
Bill Robie mentioned that we ought to develop a “wish list” that we could use to determine the amount we should request, and then the committee should work with the curator (currently Jim) to make improvements. Jim said that he would update the list he originally prepared in 2005 and give it to the committee. Two of the big things we would like to accomplish if we get a grant would be to paint graphics on the sides of the trailer (Ed Fickes will research this) and build permanent display cabinets (Rick Beaver has been working on this).
As an aside—Phil mentioned that we should have some sort of history of the museum from the beginning to help with our grant efforts. Jim said that we have pictures from most of the venues that we could use and Ed said that he had duty rosters and some after action reports from the venues. They will provide them to the grant committee.
Jim passed out two newsletters from the Commemoration Commission, whose website is http://www.vietnamwar50th.com/contact.aspx.
New VA Hospital Update: Jim distributed a news release about the new VA Hospital to be built on the Fitzsimmons campus. The hospital will cost $800 million and should be completed in 2014.
This brought up the question as to whether we would be hosting a Christmas Cookie Party at the VA Hospital Nursing Center, as we have done for the past 5 or 6 years. Jim said that the VA had new rules for such events that, among other things, prohibited the use of anything other than packaged foods. The members discussed this at a previous meeting, and decided not to host the event this year because of the restrictions. This also precludes having another pig roast.
WWII Honor Flight Welcome Home—Ed introduced a motion that the chapter again host the welcome home at DIA. Jim seconded, and the motion passed, as long as it doesn’t conflict with the Prairie View event. It will be in April 2011.
PTSD compensation reminder: Walt reiterated a point from the September meeting—There are new rules concerning PTSD qualification that relax the requirements somewhat. Helicopter pilots, especially those with purple hearts or medals for valor or heroism, should have an easier time proving that they suffer from PTSD. There are also new rules concerning other compensation. Walt recommended checking with an MOPH, VFW, or American Legion service officer.
Models—Bill mentioned that we have lost our low cost source for models and that we have only about 20 left. We don’t have any Hueys or Blackhawks.
Draft Meeting Minutes, 20 November 2010, continued
HWM Center Console—Bill also mentioned that we need most of the switches, etc, for the HWM’s cockpit display center console. Please contact him if you know of a source.
Veterans Day 2011—Bill mentioned that we should make sure that we do something with the HWM for Veterans Day next year. Possibilities include Greeley and Golden.
Member News—
New member Carl Cavalluzzi of Conifer attended his first meeting after joining the chapter at the Fort Carson Military Appreciation Day mentioned above.
Returning member Dave Parvin is a sculptor. Two of his sculptures are featured in the Veterans’ Tribute Garden near the Butterfly Pavilion.
Brian Foote mentioned that member Terry Sullivan is retiring as the head of the Colorado Springs Travel Bureau at the end of November.
Party Reminders: (Note—Information and directions have been provided previously. If you have misplaced them, contact Jim McNamee at hawk36101@msn.com.)
–John Grauff’s Christmas party—John again passed out invitations and cordially invited all to his and Laurel’s (his daughter) annual Christmas party, to be held on December 4, 2010, at 6:00 pm. He asked for RSVPs NLT November 24, 2010, although he said that you can just show up if your plans change. If you are free that evening, you should make plans to attend. The decorations and hospitality are first rate. You don’t need to bring anything.
–Greg Mann’s Annual Chapter Christmas Party–Greg has scheduled his annual party at his home in Lone Tree for the Saturday after John’s party, December 11th. This is a pot luck affair, so please RSVP to Greg by November 30th so that he can suggest a dish to bring. This is also a party you should plan to attend, as past parties have been enjoyed by all.
Next Meeting: As is customary, there will not be a chapter meeting in December.
The January 15th meeting will be held at American Legion Post No.1 on I-25 and Yale at 10:00 am. Jim will begin collecting chapter annual dues ($20) at the meeting.
Walt adjourned the meeting at 11:15.
Submitted by Jim McNamee, Secretary/Treasurer