Meeting called to order at 3:02PM: Total present: 49 (46 members and 3 guests).
New Members: Tim Oropallo, Cole Guy, John Wise, Presley Thomas, Theodore Fowler, Judy Modlin, and Ron Holder.
Minutes: Motion to suspend reading of August minutes. Motion carried. Minutes posted for review.
Financial Report: Monika Barshney read the financial report. Financial report accepted as written.
Historian Report: 25 activities (11 funerals, 3 homecomings, 2 parades, and 9 miscellaneous which included the Veterans Rally in Winter Park, Colorado, and State Rally in Stafford).
Fundraising Committee Chairperson: Asonjia Stewart advised - no fundraisers for the rest of 2009.
Veteran’s Coordinator Corner:
- Terry Houck reminded everyone that POW/MIA Day is September 18.
- Briefed on VA Christmas Banana Run on December 6 and hat design. Design has a picture of an Eagle and the word VETERAN on the front, with DUTY HONOR COUNTRY on the back. Motion made by Mike St Clair to purchase 100 hats and 3 blankets. Motion carried. Terri Lehman will place order. Also, will purchase $500 worth of coupon books.
- Updated on status of ALR Scholarship. Specifics outlined and attached to this newsletter.
- Advised of Mulvane Police Department’s Toys for Kids Poker Run-date changed-October 3.
- Briefed on ALR 136 patch, color, and design. 200 patches are on order.
- Discussed hosting Patriot Warriors Robert and Josie Delsi and up to 20 others in May 2010. Motion made and membership approved supporting. Committee (Rick Babinger, Chuck Barshney, Ron Herndon, Terry Houck, Bill Logan, and Dennis Scuffham) will work details.
- Displayed Patriot Guard plaque from the NE Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Highway 83 Association which was presented at the ALR Rally in Stafford for our continued support in standing guard for America’s Fallen Heroes of the war on terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- Advised that Post 136 members, Don and CoraBelle Ames, donated $1000 to the Patriot Guard.
Special Presentation: ALR Officers presented Andy Armstrong with an “In Memory of ALR Riders” patch and Nancy Armstrong Memory Bar in honor of Nancy.
Commander’s Corner:
- Briefed on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, Friday, September 18.
- Discussed the Legion’s Scholarship and criteria. This is separate from the ALR Scholarship.
- Advised that ALVA Tour will be Friday, September 25. VA benefits briefed/discussed.
- Advised that Early Bird Dinner will be Saturday, September 26. Pay 2010 dues - eat free.
Co-Director’s Corner:
- Read thank you card and letter from Carol Brengman and Robert J. Dole VA Hospital.
Director’s Corner and Old Business:
- Membership statistics - 206 members; 1 deployed, Trung (Charlie – Blacktop) Nguyen.
- Highlighted the Veterans Appreciation and Fun Day events and winners; acknowledged the great contributions of Dan and Carol Benson with the games, Tom Stoy for cooking and donations, and those who made it a huge success. The display of quilts and ceremony by the Quilts of Valor were amazing. Having Georgianna Hansen present was an honor.
- Had Ron Vangas update everyone on Operation Troop Care and Adopt a Highway. Christmas packages will be sent to our troops as part of Christmas In A Box. Clean-up day for the Patriot Guard Highway will be October 24. More details later.
- Reminded everyone that Rider Safety Class (re-named from ALR Road Guard Training and Safety Class) is Saturday, October 10. Encouraged for all new members.
New Business/Discussion Items:
- Wreaths Across America. Motion made to sponsor one wreath. Motion did not pass. Motion made to contribute $136.00 (nine wreaths). Motion passed. Ceremony will be Saturday, December 12 at Winfield Veterans Cemetery. More details later.
- Senior Pastor Jon Shellenberger sent a letter inviting us to a special uplifting church service at the Derby Church of the Nazarene on Sunday, September 20.
- Director discussed our by-laws and recommended a committee review them to make ALR 136 specific. Committee (Jerry Allen, Rick Babinger, Jerry Kirk, and Bill Logan) will review and present ALR Officers with their recommendations. Recommended changes will then be presented to the membership for approval.
- Dennis Scuffham recommended we consider certificates of deposits or a money market for some of our funds. He’ll check on options and present at our October meeting.
- Jerry Allen recommended we change when we nominate and elect officers. Made a motion to hold nominations in December and elections in January, versus our current November/December respectively. After discussion, motion was rescinded. Chuck Barshney made a motion we hold nominations and elections in January. Motion passed.
- Jerry Allen advised he has collected donations to purchase 100 Marine flags to fly in the Wichita Toy Run on November 2. More details later.
- Upcoming events: Veteran’s Homeless Stand-Down Ceremony, Friday, September 18; Oaklawn Fall Festival Parade, Saturday, September 19; McConnell Family Mobility Line Escort, Saturday, September 19.
Tuesday Rides: (Meet at the Post at 6:00PM, depart at 6:30PM)
- September 15 – Side Pockets, 600 S. Tyler, Wichita – Pat Thacker
- September 22 – Hangar One, 5925 W. Kellogg, Wichita – Mary Green
- September 29 – Steak Night at Post 136, Mulvane – Doug Lehman
- October 6 – Caffé Moderne, 300 N. Mead, Wichita – Dave Stewart
- October 13 – El Rodeo, 5730 E. Central, Wichita – Terri Lehman
50/50: Collected $70.00. Half ($35.00) won by Wild Bill Logan. Other half to Christmas Fund.
Meeting adjourned: 5:07PM
Next Meeting: Sunday, October 11, 3:00PM
New Members: Tim Oropallo, Cole Guy, John Wise, Presley Thomas, Theodore Fowler, Judy Modlin, and Ron Holder.
Minutes: Motion to suspend reading of August minutes. Motion carried. Minutes posted for review.
Financial Report: Monika Barshney read the financial report. Financial report accepted as written.
Historian Report: 25 activities (11 funerals, 3 homecomings, 2 parades, and 9 miscellaneous which included the Veterans Rally in Winter Park, Colorado, and State Rally in Stafford).
Fundraising Committee Chairperson: Asonjia Stewart advised - no fundraisers for the rest of 2009.
Veteran’s Coordinator Corner:
- Terry Houck reminded everyone that POW/MIA Day is September 18.
- Briefed on VA Christmas Banana Run on December 6 and hat design. Design has a picture of an Eagle and the word VETERAN on the front, with DUTY HONOR COUNTRY on the back. Motion made by Mike St Clair to purchase 100 hats and 3 blankets. Motion carried. Terri Lehman will place order. Also, will purchase $500 worth of coupon books.
- Updated on status of ALR Scholarship. Specifics outlined and attached to this newsletter.
- Advised of Mulvane Police Department’s Toys for Kids Poker Run-date changed-October 3.
- Briefed on ALR 136 patch, color, and design. 200 patches are on order.
- Discussed hosting Patriot Warriors Robert and Josie Delsi and up to 20 others in May 2010. Motion made and membership approved supporting. Committee (Rick Babinger, Chuck Barshney, Ron Herndon, Terry Houck, Bill Logan, and Dennis Scuffham) will work details.
- Displayed Patriot Guard plaque from the NE Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Highway 83 Association which was presented at the ALR Rally in Stafford for our continued support in standing guard for America’s Fallen Heroes of the war on terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- Advised that Post 136 members, Don and CoraBelle Ames, donated $1000 to the Patriot Guard.
Special Presentation: ALR Officers presented Andy Armstrong with an “In Memory of ALR Riders” patch and Nancy Armstrong Memory Bar in honor of Nancy.
Commander’s Corner:
- Briefed on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, Friday, September 18.
- Discussed the Legion’s Scholarship and criteria. This is separate from the ALR Scholarship.
- Advised that ALVA Tour will be Friday, September 25. VA benefits briefed/discussed.
- Advised that Early Bird Dinner will be Saturday, September 26. Pay 2010 dues - eat free.
Co-Director’s Corner:
- Read thank you card and letter from Carol Brengman and Robert J. Dole VA Hospital.
Director’s Corner and Old Business:
- Membership statistics - 206 members; 1 deployed, Trung (Charlie – Blacktop) Nguyen.
- Highlighted the Veterans Appreciation and Fun Day events and winners; acknowledged the great contributions of Dan and Carol Benson with the games, Tom Stoy for cooking and donations, and those who made it a huge success. The display of quilts and ceremony by the Quilts of Valor were amazing. Having Georgianna Hansen present was an honor.
- Had Ron Vangas update everyone on Operation Troop Care and Adopt a Highway. Christmas packages will be sent to our troops as part of Christmas In A Box. Clean-up day for the Patriot Guard Highway will be October 24. More details later.
- Reminded everyone that Rider Safety Class (re-named from ALR Road Guard Training and Safety Class) is Saturday, October 10. Encouraged for all new members.
New Business/Discussion Items:
- Wreaths Across America. Motion made to sponsor one wreath. Motion did not pass. Motion made to contribute $136.00 (nine wreaths). Motion passed. Ceremony will be Saturday, December 12 at Winfield Veterans Cemetery. More details later.
- Senior Pastor Jon Shellenberger sent a letter inviting us to a special uplifting church service at the Derby Church of the Nazarene on Sunday, September 20.
- Director discussed our by-laws and recommended a committee review them to make ALR 136 specific. Committee (Jerry Allen, Rick Babinger, Jerry Kirk, and Bill Logan) will review and present ALR Officers with their recommendations. Recommended changes will then be presented to the membership for approval.
- Dennis Scuffham recommended we consider certificates of deposits or a money market for some of our funds. He’ll check on options and present at our October meeting.
- Jerry Allen recommended we change when we nominate and elect officers. Made a motion to hold nominations in December and elections in January, versus our current November/December respectively. After discussion, motion was rescinded. Chuck Barshney made a motion we hold nominations and elections in January. Motion passed.
- Jerry Allen advised he has collected donations to purchase 100 Marine flags to fly in the Wichita Toy Run on November 2. More details later.
- Upcoming events: Veteran’s Homeless Stand-Down Ceremony, Friday, September 18; Oaklawn Fall Festival Parade, Saturday, September 19; McConnell Family Mobility Line Escort, Saturday, September 19.
Tuesday Rides: (Meet at the Post at 6:00PM, depart at 6:30PM)
- September 15 – Side Pockets, 600 S. Tyler, Wichita – Pat Thacker
- September 22 – Hangar One, 5925 W. Kellogg, Wichita – Mary Green
- September 29 – Steak Night at Post 136, Mulvane – Doug Lehman
- October 6 – Caffé Moderne, 300 N. Mead, Wichita – Dave Stewart
- October 13 – El Rodeo, 5730 E. Central, Wichita – Terri Lehman
50/50: Collected $70.00. Half ($35.00) won by Wild Bill Logan. Other half to Christmas Fund.
Meeting adjourned: 5:07PM
Next Meeting: Sunday, October 11, 3:00PM
