Rocky Mountain Chapter – VHPA

DRAFT MEETING MINUTES

19 MARCH 2011

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER

VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION

President Walt Wise called the meeting to order at 1015 at The Buffalo Rose Restaurant on 12^th and Washington in Golden, Colorado.

Members Present: Walt Wise, Phil Lanphier, Ed Fickes, Mike Law, John Grauff, Greg Mann,

Hal Bergdahl, John Hargleroad, Bill Robie, Steve Swaim, Doug Neil, Rick Beaver, Fred Lyssy, and Jim McNamee.

The minutes of the February meeting were approved (Mike Law moved, Steve Swaim seconded).  The Treasurer’s Report for March was approved (Mike Law moved, Steve Swaim seconded).

Helicopter War Museum (HWM) Improvement Status: Rick Beaver reported that he had obtained two cabinets to use as HWM storage/display units.  He stated that he would be going over to the trailer storage site after the meeting to get measurements and develop an installation plan.  He invited members to help out.

Ed Fickes showed the 360 degree High Definition Virtual Reality (HDVR) video of a UH-1H cockpit that he obtained from World VR.  He obtained permission to load the video on his computer and show it in the museum.  We will be able to show it on one of our monitors, which will be a tremendous addition to the museum.
Bill Robie discussed the fact that we have two extra seat covers for the pilot’s seat in the HWM cockpit display, one red one that doesn’t fit right and one black one that does.  The members decided to keep the black one as a spare and fix the other one so that it fits (Mike Law will arrange for that).  Once it is ready, we will give it and the extra seat to Bill McPherson, who donated his seat (a better and more complete one than we had) to the museum.

Upcoming Events: Ed Fickes discussed the following events and passed around duty rosters.  He also will send duty rosters on the chat page and through the webmaster.  Details of these events are available on the rosters and in past meeting minutes on the chapter website.

April 8^th–Tribute to Vietnam Era Veterans at Prairie View High School: Ed reminded members about the tribute to Vietnam Era Veterans at Prairie View High School, 12909 E. 120^th Ave, Henderson, CO 80640, on Friday, April 8, 2011 from 1600 to 1830.  We are going to set up the Helicopter War Museum (HWM) late in the afternoon on April 7^th and display it for students and the public from 0800 to1600 the day of the tribute.

Kelly Gonzales, the Prairie View coordinator of the event, has requested that veterans interested in attending the event register at http://www.namvettribute.org.

May 2^nd–WWII Honor Flight Welcome Home Reception: The chapter again will host a reception for WWII veterans returning from a visit to the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C.  As usual, it will be at the DIA Signature Flight Facility from 2000 to 2100.

Draft Meeting Minutes, 19 March 2011, continued

June 9th-12^th—Fort Carson Welcome Home Ceremony for Vietnam Veterans: Chapter member Charles Bogle has confirmed the dates for this event and invited us to display the HWM.  The AVTT Traveling Wall will be present. The Vietnam War 50^th Anniversary

Commemoration Commission probably also will participate in this event.   We will set up the museum from 1400 to 1700 on June 9^th, display it from 0800 to 1700 on the 10^th through the 12^th, and pack it up late on the 12^th.   We need more volunteers to be able to attend this event.

July 4^th—American Heroes Air Show: (Note—We learned after the meeting that the Air Force Academy has cancelled this event.  Therefore, we will not be attending.

July 16^th—Fly In at the Hays, Kansas Airport: We have been invited by the airport manager to display the HWM at this fly in.  We will set up the HWM from 1400 to 1700 on the 15^th, display it from 0800 to 1700 on the 16^th, and pack it for the return trip the morning of the 17^th.

August and September, etc.: As of now, we don’t have any other events scheduled for the museum.  We may have a chapter BBQ again in August or September, if we can talk Don Rice into it.  We also may have a reunion (see below).

HWM Grant Request: Phil Lanphier has been working on a grant request for the HWM.  He has drafted a new request that has elements of the old request that Fred Lyssy and Jim McNamee put together a few years ago.  The new one is more concise, but would use elements of the old one as attachments.  There was some discussion about the grant, and Phil and Fred met after the chapter meeting to plan the next steps.

On a related note, Steve Swaim gave Phil a quote that he obtained for trailer graphics.

New Models: Bill Robie proposed that he be given authority to purchase more assorted models for sale to supplement the HWM maintenance and development fund.  It was approved.
Also, Greg Mann brought up the idea of selling models on E-Bay.

Channel 7 Interviews: Walt stated that he had been interviewed by Channel 7 News for a story about pilots who didn’t make it back from Vietnam.  He said that he thinks that they are looking for more stories with interesting twists.  If you have a story, contact Walt.

Possible Rocky Mountain Region Reunion: Mike Law brought up the fact that at least three VHPA chapters have held very successful reunions of pilots in their regions.  One chapter had 250 people attend.  Mike said that we should consider doing that, since we are always talking about doing new things to attract new members, get old members involved again or involve spouses.   We could shoot for a fall event in Golden or Denver, and advertise it with e-mails and letters.  Fred Lyssy and Rick Beaver volunteered to look into the possibilities, and Mike said that he would prepare a list of VN pilots in this region from VHPA files.

VHPA National Reunions: Mike briefly discussed this year’s reunion in Orlando and next year’s in New Orleans.  The New Orleans reunion will feature the WWII National Museum and will be held in the Hilton on the Mississippi River.

Draft Meeting Minutes, 19 March 2011, continued

Upcoming Elections: Walt mentioned that chapter elections are coming up at the chapter meeting in June, and asked that members be thinking about nominating other members or themselves for office.  We need to elect a President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer, all of whom will take office after the VHPA National Reunion.  Mike Law then nominated (and Ed Fickes seconded) Phil Lanphier for President, Hal Bergdahl for Vice President, and Jim McNamee for Secretary/Treasurer.  Since the election will not be held until June, nominations are still open.

Clothing Order: Jim mentioned that we have a low inventory of chapter shirts and hats and that he plans to order more soon.  He stated that he will send out a notice so that members can order specific items and sizes.  He will be ordering polo shirts (any color), chapter long sleeve poplin shirts and denim shirts, along with the hats.  All will have the embroidered chapter logo.

Next Meeting:

The April 16^th meeting will be held at 1000 at American Legion Post Number 1,

I-25 and Yale.  Walt stated that chapter member Jeff Roy, former MOPH National Commander, hopes to attend.

The May 21^st meeting has been scheduled tentatively for the American Legion at 1000.  John Hargleroad has reserve meeting rooms for the April and May meetings.

Dues Reminder:  Jim reminded members that 2011 dues ($20) are due.  He has received payment from several members by mail, and all 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 payable to RMCVHPA to:

Jim McNamee

5 Summit Cedar Drive

Littleton, CO 80127

Walt adjourned the meeting at 1145. After the meeting, several members had lunch at the Buffalo Rose.  After that, Rick Beaver, Ed Fickes, Bill Robie, Hal Bergdahl, Steve Swaim, Greg Mann, Phil Lanphier, Fred Lyssy, and Jim McNamee went to the museum to work on the cabinet design and the cockpit display.

Submitted by Jim McNamee, Secretary/Treasurer

Below is a special link for our chapter to post on our web site of David Palermo’s 360 Huey Tour…and the authorization for us to use his work.

Have you forgotten all the details of the interior of a UH-1H?  Click on the following URL for a great view.

http://www.davidpalermo.com/hueyvhpa.  Cut & paste this if necessary

The chapter meeting will be held on Saturday, March 19th at 10:00 am at the Buffalo Rose in Golden , 1119 Washington Ave.

Please Note: Our meeting time is before the facility opens.  You must enter from the alley on the east side of the restaurant.  Go past the waste bins, thru the kitchen entrance, turn right and into the main event room.  There is plenty of parking in the parking structure east of the Rose.  Enter the structure from Jackson Street, one block east of Washington Ave.  Following meeting, we will have lunch at the Rose and then adjourn to the Museum trailer at 1300 8^th Street (in the back) to work on Museum improvements in preparation for the Prairie View High School event on April 8.

19 FEBRUARY 2011 ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION President Walt Wise called the meeting to order at 1000 at American Legion Post #1, I-25 and Yale Avenue. Members Present: Walt Wise, Phil Lanphier, Ed Fickes, John Grauff, Greg Mann, Mike Silva, Hal Bergdahl, John Hargleroad, Bill Robie, Steve Swaim, Carl Cavalluzzi, Donny O’Connor, John Gaines, and Jim McNamee.  Because we had several new and returning members, Walt had everyone introduce themselves. The minutes of the January meeting were approved (Ed Fickes moved, Walt Wise seconded).  The Treasurer’s Reports for January and February were approved (Ed Fickes moved, Walt Wise seconded). Dave Coyle’s Funeral: Ed reported that he, John Grauff, and Jim McNamee attended the funeral services on February 12^th for Dave Coyle, who drove our museum to several venues beginning with the Memorial Day 2005 trip to Angel Fire.  Dave and his wife, Susan, who usually accompanied him, really enjoyed their trips with us.  Because of this, Susan asked that donations be made to our chapter in lieu of flowers.  The donations totaled $240, which Ed delivered from her to Jim.  She asked that the funds be used for the museum. Upcoming Events: Ed discussed the following events and passed around duty rosters.  He also will send sign up rosters on the chat page and through the webmaster (see his 2/21 message). April 8^th–Tribute to Vietnam Era Veterans at Prairie View High School: Ed reminded members about the tribute to Vietnam Era Veterans that the students and faculty of Prairie View High School, 12909 E. 120^th Ave, Henderson, CO 80640, are planning for Friday, April 8, 2011 from 1600 to 1830.  We are going to set up the Helicopter War Museum (HWM) late in the afternoon on April 7^th and display it for students and the public from 0800 to1600 the day of the tribute. We will pack it up that evening. Kelly Gonzales, the Prairie View coordinator of the event, has requested that veterans interested in attending the event register at http://www.namvettribute.org. May 2^nd–WWII Honor Flight Welcome Home Reception: Ed mentioned that the chapter again will host a reception for WWII veterans returning from a visit to the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C.  As usual, it will be at the DIA Signature Flight Facility from 2000 to 2100.  The chapter will provide refreshments (Ed will procure them). July 4^th—American Heroes Air Show: Ed and Jim discussed this event.  We have been invited by to display the HWM at the United States Air Force Academy in conjunction with this air show and the AVTT Traveling Wall.  Ed is working on the details, but tentative plans call for setting the HWM up from 0800 to 1100 on the 4^th and displaying it until 1900.  The American Heroes Aviation Network puts on several shows each year around the country (see their website –http://www.heroes-airshow.com/). Draft Meeting Minutes, 19 February 2011, continued July 16^th—Fly In at the Hays, Kansas Airport: Ed and Walt discussed this event.  We have been invited by the airport manager to display the HWM at this fly in.  The organizers will pay the HWM transportation costs and also provide three motel rooms.  We will set the HWM up from 1400 to 1700 on the 15^th, display it from 0800 to 1700 on the 16^th, and pack it for the return trip the morning of the 17^th. The members voted to attend this event if enough members sign up for the trip. National Vietnam War 50^th Anniversary Commemoration Events/Welcome Home: Jim mentioned again 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.  The National Commemoration Commission also has agreed to participate in this event.  Jim will contact Charles to find out the exact dates. 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.  Walt Wise, Phil Lanphier, and Fred Lyssy are exploring this possibility.  For those interested, the Commemoration Commission’s website is http://www.vietnamwar50th.com/contact.aspx. HWM Outside Graphics: Ed mentioned that he has found a company that will do the HWM graphics for $9,000 to $13,000, which we don’t have right now.  A discussion followed about how beneficial it would be to have helicopter scenes on the HWM, but that we may want to start with only a few panels to keep costs down.  Picture sources and design also were discussed. HWM Revenue Idea: Greg Mann showed examples of various sized high quality but low cost calendars that were printed, with a photograph, by Costco.  He also talked about making a cd of members’ VN pictures.  He stated that these could be used as fund raisers for the HWM. Brick for Dave Coyle?: Ed mentioned that some members had discussed buying a brick in Dave’s memory for the VN War Museum in Mineral Wells, Texas.  After discussion, the members decided that a plaque for the museum would be more visible and appropriate and that idea was approved.  Ed will coordinate the effort, with a cost not to exceed $100. TRICARE Update: Mike Silva mentioned that TRICARE will begin covering veterans’ “kids” under 26 years of age who are not in school.  Contact him for more information.  He also said he is going to Ft Rucker in March if anyone wants him to pick up any mementoes. New Model Source: Bill Robie reported that he has obtained 20 Hueys, 12 CH 46s and other models for us to sell to raise money for the HWM.  The members voted to reimburse him for the purchase and for a sales tax license renewal and the HWM console purchase mentioned below (Ed moved, Walt seconded). HWM Center Console—Bill Robie reported that he had found a source on E-Bay for most of the instruments and radios that we need to complete the HWM’s cockpit display center console.  He purchased the lot for $374.  About the only things remaining for the display are hydraulic and engine control panels and a glare shield.  Bill’s source will try to obtain them. Draft Meeting Minutes, 19 February 2011, continued Chapter Chat Page: Bill mentioned that members could post information and updates on the chapter chat page at rmcvhpa@yahoogroups.com. Flag Donation: Carl Cavalluzzi donated a flag to the American Legion and also turned one over to be formally retired by the Legion.  John Hargleroad accepted the flags on behalf of the Legion. Dues Reminder:  Jim reminded members that 2011 dues ($20) are due.  He has received payment from several members by mail, and all 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 payable to RMCVHPA to: Jim McNamee 5 Summit Cedar Drive Littleton, CO 80127 Next Meeting: The March 19^th meeting will be held in Golden, location and time TBD.  Bill Robie will arrange the location.  Walt stated that chapter member Jeff Roy, former MOPH National Commander, hopes to attend.  There will be a trailer work party for those able to stick around after the meeting. The April 16^th and May 21^st meetings have been scheduled tentatively for the American Legion at 1000.  John Hargleroad will reserve meeting rooms. Walt adjourned the meeting at 1120. Submitted by Jim McNamee, Secretary/Treasurer