DRAFT MEETING MINUTES
19 SEPTEMBER 2009
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER
VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION
President Gary Hurelle called the meeting to order at 1010 hours in American Legion Post No.1.
Members Present: Gary Hurelle, Ed Fickes, Brian Foote, Mike Law, John Grauff, John Hargleroad, Walt Winters, Phil Lanphier, Doug Neil, Hal Bergdahl, Tom Landis, and Jim McNamee.
The minutes of the August meeting were approved with a correction introduced by Jim McNamee (the Evans VFW donated $200 to the Helicopter War Museum Maintenance and Development Fund instead of the $400 stated in the draft). (Ed Fickes moved, Mike Law seconded.) The Treasurer’s Reports for July, August and September were approved. (Mike Law moved, Phil Lanphier seconded.)
Honor Flight: Gary, Ed and Mike talked about the reception that the chapter hosted at DIA for 132 WWII veterans returning from an Honor Flight visit to the WWII memorial in Washington, D.C. The reception was on September 12th at the Signature Flight Facility, They reported that the reception was very successful and a great experience. The chapter provided refreshments and member Bruce Cameron arranged for a song and dance duo to entertain the veterans. The chapter probably will host two receptions a year in the future. Gary proposed an “attaboy” for Ed for arranging the receptions, and the members responded with kudos.
Recognition for Bill Brewster: Jim proposed that the chapter give Bill Brewster, owner of B&B Trucking in Greeley, recognition for the transportation support he has provided for the Helicopter War Museum (HWM) since its inception. Bill was an infantry company commander in the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam. He provides a tractor to transport the trailer at his cost, and often transports it to local venues for no cost. His support has been invaluable. The members approved the proposal, to include recognition at the museum’s venues and a Huey model and plaque for Bill. Phil will provide the recognition and award, and Ed will provide nose art for the Huey.
Evans VFW Breakfast Fundraiser: Ed and Gary talked about the breakfast fundraiser that the Evans VFW had for the HWM on August 30th. The VFW donated the proceeds from the event to our museum ($600). They also donated $200 to the museum for our support at the State VFW Convention in June. Several members and some wives attended the breakfast and reported that it was very good. Ed mentioned that they have breakfasts on the first and last Sundays of every month and that we should support them if we are in the area. The Evans VFW is located at 3501 State Street in Evans, which is adjacent to Greeley.
Huey Parts: Hal mentioned that we should continue to search for Huey parts for the museum. We have a good start on the cockpit display, but could use more. Tom said that he may be able to get more parts from his contact. The members discussed building the cockpit display once the trailer is located in Golden (after the Captain Swanson event at Mullen—see below). (Note–Bill Robie is arranging space for the trailer in the Golden lot where we built the museum so that we can work on the display there. If we are able to relocate the trailer to Golden, we probably will hold some future meetings/work parties there.)
Draft meeting minutes, 19 September 2009 (continued)
Mullen High School event: Phil, Ed and Mike talked about the Mullen High School event which will include testimonials to Captain Jon Swanson, an MHS graduate who won the Medal of Honor as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. The chapter previously decided to participate in the event and display the Helicopter War Museum. Members will address classes in addition to being museum docents. The classes will be in the gymnasium on Friday morning, October 9th. There also will be a veterans’ recognition event during halftime of the football game that night, with all attending veterans invited onto the field. The museum will be located in the parking lot just outside the main stadium gate. We will set it up Thursday afternoon, October 8th, and man it through halftime on Friday night. Lunch will be provided to members on Friday.
Ed Fickes passed around a duty roster for museum docents and class participants. If you want to participate, please contact Ed. Phil also will prepare a schedule and a notice for Brian to send to members when we get closer to the event. Ed, Phil and Mike will work on a shadow box depicting CPT Swanson’s feats.
Mike mentioned that between four and six pilots who flew with CPT Swanson will attend the event. He asked that anyone who could provide lodging for the pilots contact him. He also talked about CPT Swanson’s heroics and the efforts since them to honor him.
Phil mentioned that the media would be there, and Mike stated that this would be a great opportunity for us to begin our school education campaign, which was one of the initial reasons we built the museum. He also stated that we should send an article about the event to the VHPA “Aviator.” He mentioned that the magazine is always looking for articles, and that members should consider submitting them.
Military Order of the Purple Heart: Gary mentioned that Walt Wise has arranged for the current MOPH Commandant, Jeff Roy, to be present at the at the November meeting along with a service officer. Jeff, a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, is a great source of information because he has spent a considerable amount of time in places such as Congress working for veterans. The MOPH is very helpful with veterans applying for VA benefits, even if they haven’t been awarded the Purple Heart. Gary encouraged members to attend the November meeting.
“Welcome Home” Wristbands: Gary mentioned that Ed has purchased wristbands that we will use as fundraisers. The wristbands have a Vietnam campaign ribbon motif and cost 71 cents apiece. We will sell them for $2, with the proceeds going to the HWM Operating Fund. He sold about a dozen to members.
Chapter Clothing and Hats: Gary mentioned that Jim had shirts that members had ordered and also hats. He has extra shirts and hats for sale at very reasonable prices.
Heritage Square Outing: Gary mentioned that Bill Robie is willing to set up a Heritage Square Opera House outing. The Opera House puts on an entertaining melodrama with a buffet dinner for a reasonable price. Several members expressed interest. Gary will contact Bill to arrange it.
Chapter Message Site: Gary mentioned the Yahoo site that Bill has set up for messages. He asked that members use it only for chapter business and refrain from using it for other purposes.
Draft meeting minutes, 19 September 2009 (continued)
57th AHC Reunion: Brian passed along a message from member Terry Sullivan—The 57th AHC is having a reunion in Colorado Springs September 24th through the 26th. Contact Terry for details.
Christmas Gathering at John Grauff’s: John announced that he and his daughter, Laurel, will host their annual Christmas party on December 5th. All members are invited. Jim mentioned that this is an event not to miss, with decorations similar to Macy’s and hospitality second to none. Details will follow.
Upcoming Meetings: The October 17th meeting probably will be at the Buffalo Rose in Golden. It will be followed by a museum work party (the museum will be transported after the Mullen event to the same lot in Golden where we originally built it so that we can work on the cockpit display). Rick Beaver and Jerry Marshall are going to be the OIC’s for building the display. Details will follow.
Unless otherwise decided and published, the meetings from November through May will be at the American Legion Post No. 1 on I-25 and Yale on the third Saturday of the month. There will be no meeting in December, although we may host our annual cookie party at the VA Hospital that month.
Gary adjourned the meeting at 1130 hours.
Submitted by Jim McNamee, Secretary/Treasurer