Jan 24 2011
DRAFT MEETING MINUTES 15 JANUARY 2010
DRAFT MEETING MINUTES
15 JANUARY 2010
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER
VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION
President Walt Wise called the meeting to order at 1005 hours at American Legion Post #1, I-25 and Yale Avenue.
Members Present: Walt Wise, Mike Law, Ed Fickes, Rick Beaver, Doug Neil, Hal Bergdahl, John Hargleroad, Bill Robie, Al Harinck, Steve Swaim, Carl Cavalluzzi, Dan Grigsby, Mike Silva and Jim McNamee. (Note—Vice President Phil Lanphier had a previous commitment, but arrived just after the meeting ended to talk with Bill Robie about a possible source for wooden models.)
The minutes of the November meeting were approved (Ed Fickes moved, Hal Bergdahl seconded). The Treasurer’s Report for December was approved (Ed Fickes moved, Bill Robie seconded). (Note: Treasurer Jim McNamee reported that he had not yet received the January bank statement. He will provide the January Treasurer’s Report at the February meeting. He stated that there were some receipts for model sales (thanks to Bill Robie and Ed Fickes) and dues recently, but no expenses.)
National Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration Events/Welcome Home in 2011: Walt mentioned that the chapter committee to work on a grant for our Helicopter War Museum (HWM) in conjunction with this event will begin work soon. For those who are unaware of this event, Jim stated that chapter member Charles Bogle and the Fort Carson Retirees’ Association have scheduled a 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. The National Commemoration Commission has agreed to participate in the Fort Carson event. We are going to display the HWM for all or part of the week.
The Vietnam War Commission is very interested in educational possibilities in conjunction with this 5-year long Commemoration, and there is a possibility that we could receive some grant money from them to improve the HWM. For those interested, the Commemoration Commission’s website is http://www.vietnamwar50th.com/contact.aspx.
Helicopter War Museum Improvement Committee: Rick Beaver mentioned that member Greg McMahon has donated some cabinets for the museum. Rick wants to get started improving the museum displays, and asked that interested members meet with him after the meeting (several did). He also showed a North Vietnam flag that his unit captured, and members discussed how to display it. (Note—The March meeting will be held in Golden, followed by a museum work party.)
Tribute to Vietnam Era Veterans at Prairie View High School: Ed Fickes talked about the tribute to Vietnam Era Veterans that the students and faculty of Prairie View High School, 12909 E. 120th Ave, Henderson, CO 80640, are planning on Friday, April 8, 2011 from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm. We are going to display the HWM the day of the tribute. Jim and Ed are coordinating the museum’s appearance with Mr. Kelly Gonzales of Prairie View. Ed stated that there has been a change to the schedule, and that we will be displaying the museum for only one day—Friday, April 8th, from 0800 to 1600. Most of the students from the campus, which includes elementary and middle schools, will be visiting the museum. Ed will be sending out a duty roster soon to make sure we have enough members to help set up the HWM on Thursday afternoon, docent it on Friday, and pack it up Friday evening.
Draft Meeting Minutes, 15 January 2010, continued
Member Bill McPherson of Cripple Creek, CO, probably will have his UH-1M gunship there, too. Chapter members will help docent it, as Rick Beaver did in Cripple Creek in 2009.
Kelly Gonzales, the Prairie View coordinator of the event, has requested that veterans who are interested in attending this event register at the event website: http://www.namvettribute.org.
National Vietnam War Commemoration Events/Welcome Home in 2011: Walt mentioned that the chapter committee to work on a museum grant in conjunction with this event will begin work soon. For those who are unaware of this event, Jim stated that chapter member Charles Bogle and the Fort Carson Retirees’ Association have scheduled a 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. The National Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration Commission has agreed to participate in the Fort Carson event.
The Commission is very interested in educational possibilities in conjunction with this 5-year Commemoration, and that is why we think there is a possibility that we could receive some grant money from them to improve the HWM (see above). For those interested, the Commemoration Commission’s website is http://www.vietnamwar50th.com.
WWII Honor Flight Welcome Home: Ed mentioned that the chapter again will host the World War II Honor Flight Welcome Home Reception on Monday, May 2nd. As usual, it will be at the DIA Signature Flight Facility from 2000 to 2100 hours. The chapter will provide refreshments. Ed will send out a sign up roster soon.
Possible HWM visit to the Hays, Kansas airport: Walt mentioned that the airport manager of the Hays airport would like us to display the HWM at his airport, possibly on July 4th. Walt will call him back to get the details and report at the February meeting.
VHPA Aviator Deadline: Walt mentioned that the deadline for our chapter input to The Aviator is at the end of the month. He asked Ed to prepare an article. Mike Law mentioned that we should mention the Prairie View event. (Note: Mike also displayed the new Membership Directory and 2011 calendar and discussed the 2011 VHPA Reunion.)
Colorado Springs and Southern Colorado Members: Hello—Are you still there? Al Harinck mentioned that we used to have events in Colorado Springs to try to get our southern Colorado members involved again and asked if we planned to continue that effort. Jim mentioned that we have had several events “down south,” but have had very limited participation since our luncheon in 2005. The only members that have participated recently are Eric Brettschneider, Bill McPherson, and Charles Bogle, The members decided to keep trying, starting with the VN Vet Welcome Home/VN 50th Anniversary Celebration at Fort Carson in June.
In addition–Rick Beaver mentioned that we have several northern members (including Wyoming, Kansas, and Nebraska) that we haven’t seen for a while. We should consider have a meeting or event in Thornton or another northern locale. Rick will look into it.
Draft Meeting Minutes, 15 January 2010, continued
Chapter BBQ: Mike Law stated that we should start thinking about having another BBQ this summer since it is such a popular event. We need to contact Don Rice and see if he is willing to be the chef again and if Leprino Aviation will allow us to have it at their facility again. Also—this year, we will insist on reimbursing Don for his expenses (last year, he donated the meat and beans).
HWM Center Console—Bill Robie mentioned that we need most of the radio switches and the emergency hydraulics and main fuel switches for the HWM’s cockpit display center console. Please contact him if you know of a source.
100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation: Mike Law mentioned that the Navy is going to host a celebration in San Diego, California February 12th. It is going to be a big deal, with over 75 aircraft on display and lots of activities. For information, go to www.mwrtoday.com/cona.
Chapter Chat Page: Bill mentioned that members could post information and updates on the chapter chat page at rmcvhpa@yahoogroups.com.
Flight School Video—Mike Silva mentioned that there was a video making the rounds on the internet about WOC flight training in 1966 that was quite interesting. He will try to distribute it via the chat page (he did). Rick said that we should try to get a DVD for the HWM.
Dues Reminder: Jim reminded members that 2011 dues ($20) are due. He has received payment from several members by mail, and most of the members present at the meeting are now current as well. If you would like to remit your dues by mail, please send a check made out to RMCVHPA to:
Jim McNamee
5 Summit Cedar Drive
Littleton, CO 80127
Member News:
Walt asked the members to invite their VN pilot friends to come to a meeting so that we could expand the chapter (and, possibly, VHPA).
Next Meeting:
The February 19th meeting will be held at American Legion Post No.1 on I-25 and Yale at 1000 hours. The March 19th meeting will be held in Golden, location TBD.
Walt adjourned the meeting at 1105 hours.