Shasta County Veterans Affiliated Council Minutes

April 11,2009, 2009

1605 Yuba Street , Redding , CA

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 am with President Jim Gibson presiding.

The invocation was by Joe Hudson.

Pledge to the Flag of our Country- President Gibson  

Mr. Ellsworth brought SCVAC Members up to date on parade for November 7, 2009, the Theme has not been chosen, but hopes to have a great one. The plan is to start the planning meetings on May 1st. Invites SCVAC to be a part of it, John Cleckner wants all previous Grand Marshall's to be in front of parade as well as all wars, WW2, Korean Viet Nam Veterans to be up front.

Mr. Salanti brought forth all information on "Missing in America Project." The hand out with all information the will become part of minutes. They have received $35,000, which will send 13 riders to Arlington . Warning- if you are donating make the check out to "MISSING IN AMERICA" which is a 501-c-3.

President- Jim Gibson

1^st Vice- Bob Burroughs-excused

Secretary- Flora Pearson

Treasurer- Bob Kassis

Parliamentarian-Carol Green

SCVAC Hall Committee-Bob Kassis

Legislation-Peter Stiglich

Joe Hudson, Pat Perez & Kenneth Green

Post & Auxiliaries represented-delegates present.

AMVETS #1996 Tom Johnson

American Legion #197-Chuck Havlicek

American Legion Aux. #197-Carol Green

American legion Post 214-A.J. Dumoulin

American Legion Post 441-Willy Brown

Marine Corp League-Kenneth Green

MOAA- Wally Wessell

Cuttlefish Base IV -Norm Hosking

Fleet Reserve Assoc. #281 Paul Jones

Korean War Veterans Assoc. Bill McKinney

Women’s Army Corps Veterans Assoc.-Pat Perez

Pearl Harbor Survivors- Melvin Fisher

VFW Post # 1934- Bob Kassis

VFW Post #275-JC Cladopulos

Purple Heart Assoc. -Jack Tolbert

Special Forces Assoc. -John Cleckner                                                                            

Waves National-Kitty Seiler

Bob Kassis, Treasurer report: {Full Report attached to Secretary Book}

Report: Certificate of Deposit 4/11.09                  $10,436.83

Check Book Balance 4/11/09                                $ 4,847.47

                                                           TOTAL     $15,284.30

             Memorial Grove Fund                              $ 2,926.30

             Veteran’s Home Fund                                $4,758.81

             Veterans in Need                                           270.00

Disbursements:

Check # 837-Dee Butler {Web Page]                                71.95

Check # 838-Jim Gibson-Award {clock, flowers, card]           62.47

Check # 839 Pearl Harbor Monument                          $250.00

Check #840 Jim Gibson-Sign -Posts & Flags                      $296.53

                                                       Total Disbursements $680.95 

Veterans In Need                                                       $270.00

Dues 2009                                                                   $160.00

Vet Home Fund {Bud Fawver Memorial}                            $205.00

Check Book Interest                                                             3.64

Certificate Interest                                  $63.21

Total Deposits:                                                               $701.85  

1-President Gibson ordered Immediate Past President Jones front and Center to receive a beautiful desk clock as thanks for his years as president of SCVAC.

2-President Gibson reported on the roses planted at the Veterans Grove, Redding Wonderland Club would be caring for them. The project was to have been paid from a source, but a mix up and Wally Wessell has $300.00 in the project. President Gibson requested to have the $300.00 come from a balance in the Grove fund that was transferred into the General Fund.

Bob Kassis moved to reimburse Wally Wessell the $300.00 from the General Fund, 2nd by JC Cladopulos and approved. 

1 President Gibson announced the Awards Dinner will be on September 25 at the Veterans Hall. He encouraged all to really work to sell tickets as we went slightly backwards last year to the tune of $200.00. {NOTE} the Awards Dinner is not a fund raiser per say but would be nice not to lose money}-

2- It is important that all wishing to recommend a person for this years award to give a written recommendation to Chair Carol Green very soon.

3-President Gibson would like to have a President's Award this year and suggests it go to Supervisor Glenn Hawes for trading his wetland property for the wetlands on the properties of local Veteran Projects.

4-John Cleckner had handouts for the upcoming dedication of Special Forces Monument on April 25 at 2:00 PM. Will have tents, chairs and Mel Fisher in the golf Cart. John encourages all to attend.

5- President Gibson announced the Cottonwood Parade is scheduled for May 9, 2009 and needs a car for the parade. Gibson has already sent his entry for the Damboree Parade.

6- A-Pete Stiglich, SCVAC Liaison and representing Assemblyman Nielsen provided information on Legislation in channels to make possible the release of remains.

B-The correct count of Veterans in our area is a concern. Will be meeting with VA representatives to discuss the formula being used. Pete also recommended Veterans visit the Web Sites that are filled with information for Veterans.

C-Pete presented 4 letters, with copies for President Gibson's review, approval, signature and forwarding.

     1-SB 469 Aanestad, waive the $500.00 family burial fees at the Veterans Cemetery when the family does not have the adequate funds. At present there are no means for a widow to take the remains.

     2-AB223 Nielsen to re-instate the ROTC in San Francisco Schools. The people in San Francisco want the program; the School Board is not listening.

     3-AB351-Nielsen to reconsider TRICARE Fee Hikes.

     4- To the Committee on Armed Forces, requesting the committee sustain budget levels for personnel and weapons /equipment.

{Copies of the letters attached to the minutes}

{John Cleckner stated the letters are great but need the information needs to go out to all Veterans Organizations, as more letters are better} VSO Dave Lanford will forward the information to his list when received.

7-Steve Jorgensen, Veteran Cemetery regarding Clear Creek Water stating the Cemetery will only receive 80 percent of the water used in 2008. The turf has been up graded, 40 trees and many shrubs planted and now with water shortage some projects planned will be deferred until fall. The billing for water is sent to Sacramento so he has no knowledge of the water used in 2008. Steve also shared that Senator Johannessen has been working on a Chapel; it will be placed near the administration building for access the restrooms. A MEMORY TRAIL is in the planning stages, with benches etc. The Rotary Clubs will provide a shelter for the Honor Guard and Rifle Squad. Steve is pleased with the monuments installed and those ready to be installed and ones in the planning stages. The Pearl Harbor Survivors and Korean War Veterans are coming up. 

President Jim Gibson thanked Steve for all his help when the Submarine Group set their monument.    

Steve Jorgensen stated the Northern California Veterans Home is still moving forward, perhaps not as fast as we had hoped; ground breaking is planned for April 2010. Now there is a need to provide the amenities the government will not fund, such as TV, library, etc. so it is time to do the paperwork for a Foundation with a 401-c-3 non-profit. It will take several months to process. The estimated cost $1,700.00. It was moved by Willy Brown, 2nd by Bill McKinney to designate $2000.00 of the monies in the Veteran Home Fund to cover the costs. The motion carried.

John Cleckner stated there are people on the Veterans Home Committee qualified to do the paper work for the Foundation.

Bill McKinney shared a picture similar to the monument they will have constructed by Outdoor Creations of Anderson at a cost of approximately $6000.  Donations will be accepted, may be sent to Korean War Veterans Association. Nat'l Chapter #1, PO Box 991418, Redding , CA 96099. ATTN: Leroy Neuenfeld.

VSO Lanford stated at the Veteran Advisory Board Meeting it was announced the clinic would be building a two-story addition on the clinic.

Bill McKinney announced the Anderson Tec School would be interviewing WW2 Veterans for the next few months.

Certificate of Appreciation to SCVAC from Shasta Lake Lions Club

President Gibson announced items to be on the agenda for the Board of Directors Meeting on May 16th as follows.

SCVAC signs with logo to be placed on Clear Creek Road . Spots to be determined.

Possible Scholarship program for Shasta College Prayer Breakfast for 2010

The meeting closed following a prayer by Joe Hudson.