Rocky Mountain Chapter – VHPA

DRAFT MEETING MINUTES

1 7 September 2011

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER

VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION

President Phil Lanphier called the meeting to order at 1005 hours at American Legion Post #1, I-25 and Yale Avenue.

Members Present: Walt Winters, Ed Fickes, Rick Beaver, Brian Foote, John Grauff, Hal Bergdahl, John Hargleroad,  Mike Law, Gary Hurelle, Steve Swain, Jerry Marshall and son Jason, Bill Bates, Fred Lyssy, VHPA National President Mike Law and old/new member Chuck Guy dropped by. Also attending was Gina Meretto from the FAA.

Ms. Moretto was representing the Department of Transportation/Federal Aviation Administration in Presenting the Wright Brothers “Master Pilot”Award  for 50 years of safety and no violations to our own Walt Winters (boy is he old). Only 13 such awards were presented in this region in 2011.

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

The Treasurer’s Report was unavailable as Jim McNamee was flying standby going somewhere looking for kids, grandkids or beer. Jim will be asked to send one to post on line when he can.

Fred Lyssy reported on The Vietnam War 50^th Anniversary Celebration we will be hosting October 8^th. 23 members and guests have registered so far and several more are in the mail. We need 40 to attend to break even. All are reminded to register asap and make hotel reservations. Anyone attending who has pictures needs to send a dozen or so to Greg Mann at g_e_mann@yahoo.com so he can put together to show at the events dinner….Rick Beaver can provide computer/video projector so we can see what we used to look like… in a far, far world in a battle. Fred will get contact info at the hotel for Ed for proper placement of the Museum.

Ed Fickes reported on the “Welcome Home” WWII we hosted at Signature Flight Facility last week. Of the 100 veterans who visited their Memorials in DC approximately 50 were from WWII. 40 or so were from the Korean War and 3 were Korean/VN and 3 VN veterans…all the VN vets were purple heart recipients…Ed gave out 6 “Welcome home” VN bracelets. The break from deplaning – to bus boarding was a little shorter than usual, by the veterans appreciated our efforts – cookies, water and coffee. Related cost was $84.40. The membership agreed to support the spring Flight scheduled for May 7^th, 2012.

The will be no regular Chapter meeting in October…a short meeting may be held at the 50^th Anniversary Celebration on October 8^th.

The November Chapter Meeting will be held at the American Legion Post #1 at I-25 and Yale on November and will (hopefully) be available on a teleconference on the web…details will follow.

Pres. Phil Lanphier will be soon traveling back to VN and asked that anyone who has returned who has tips, hints, suggestions or recommendations on itinerary, etc send to him at phil.lanphier.by1z@statefarm.com.

John Grauff handed out invitations to his annual Christmas Party December 3rd – all Chapter members are invited – for more info and to RSVP contact John at playtex26@hotmail.com . The Chapter Party will be held the following Saturday December 10^th, hosted by Greg Mann – watch your emails for more information.

Ed Fickes collected dues from Walt Winters and Jerry Marshall and will deposit next week.

Phil adjourned the meeting at 1115 hours.

Submitted by Ed Fickes, substitute Secretary/Treasurer

DRAFT MEETING MINUTES

20 August 2011

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER

VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION

President Phil Lanphier called the meeting to order at 1005 hours at American Legion Post #1, I-25 and Yale Avenue.

Members Present: Walt Wise, Ed Fickes, Rick Beaver, Brian Foote, John Grauff, Doug Neil, Hal Bergdahl, John Hargleroad,  Al Harinck, Carl Cavalluzzi,  Mike Silva,  Mike Tobias and new prospective  members Bill Bates and Dale House; also present was visiting charter member Chuck Guy.

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved (Ed Fickes moved, Hal Bergdahl seconded).  Treasurer’s Report—The Treasurer was not present, so the approval decision was  tabled until next meeting.

Ed Fickes delivered the new Museum trailer tags and registration Rick Beaver, who will install next week.

The Vietnam War 50^th Anniversary Celebration we will be hosting in October was discussed. It was decided to: set up the Museum on Saturday the 8^th from Noon to 2 PM.

to allow all to participate in the opening hospitality session. Ed will send out a roster of those who signed up today at the meeting. Also decided was to provide our Chapter wine glasses to all as a gift at the evening’s dinner.  (Need to check on whether or not we can provide a champagne toast at the dinner.)  It was decided not to hold an October Chapter meeting, due to the Reunion on the 8^th.

The Jeffco Airshow was mentioned, but due to short notice it was decided the Chapter could not participate.

Rick Beaver is planning a Museum work party next week and could use a few hours help from all who can help – he’ll be sending out info on yahoo and chapter websites.

The September meeting will be held at the Legion Post; as well as the November meeting. There will be no meeting in December.  John Grauff invited all to his Holiday Party to be held the 1^st Saturday in December… We will check with Greg Mann on his possible hosting of the Chapter Christmas Party again later in that month.

President Phil is going to ‘explore’ the possibility of have video/audio conferencing at the November meeting for members who can’t attend.

Phil adjourned the meeting at 1115 hours.

Submitted by Ed Fickes, substitute Secretary/Treasurer