UVLC Minutes – Wednesday, October 6, 2010
• Call to order – 0938 Hrs.
• Invocation – MN Dept. of Military Affairs Chaplain Rick
• Pledge of Allegiance – Bob Erickson
• Greetings: Recognition of General Shellito & speech by MG Shellito. Recognition of Janet Murphy – New Director of VISN 23. MN DMVA recognized MG Shellito especially for Beyond the Yellow
Ribbon.
• Reports from: Chairman, Ralph Donais – Remembrance of COL. Ken Wofford. Challenged everyone to give 1 four hour shift a month at Armed Forces Center. Vice Chairman, Jerry Kyser : talked about COL Wofford & Armed Forces Center. Honor Flight is Oct. 23, 2010. Jerry K. has had 30 veterans and 23 guardians either die or become ill since the were signed up for this Honor Flight. Asked for Guardians for next years flights.
1. State Agencies and MN Veteran Assistance Organizations
MN Dept of Veteran Affairs – Dept. Commissioner – Mike Pugliese: Appealed to service organizations to step-up and help veterans coming home and advocate strongly with legislators.
ReggieWorlds: Gave updates on higher education, claims & benefits. Gil Ocevedo: Gave an update on all the Veterans Homes. Amy Rudolph: Gave an update on the legislation.
MN Veterans 2010 Legislative Info – Information Officer – Anna Long : Gave update and has newsletters available and also commented on Historic Ft. Snelling.
MN Military Affairs – Col. Ahlness: He reiterated MG comments. Gave update on deployments. Ralph D. interjected that we need to get more participants in Tricare.
MN Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) – Kathy Vitalis: Gave an update on MACV.
MN Veterans Initiatives Center and Research Institute (VICRI) – Jimmy Lee Coulthard gave update and a handout on VICRI and WestCare Foundation to form WestCare Minnesota.
Other MN Veteran Organizations: None
2. Federal Agencies
VISN 23 – Janet Murphy, Director: Gave an overview of updates in VISN 2 and gave a handout.
VA Regional Office – Acting Director Don Munro: Announced that Antoine Waller will be named new Director as of October 10. Gave update on Regional Office.
Mpls VA Medical Center – Mike Rosecrans Leg. Laison: Gave update on Mpls VAMC and flu shots.
St. Cloud VA Medical Center – Rose Blesner, Admin Office: Gave update on happenings and construction at St. Cloud VAMC.
New Brighton Vets Center: Jerry K. gave report due to Carl Sporer having to leave early. The number of Veterans they are serving is up almost 25% from last year.
Ft Snelling Cemetery – Report by Brad Butler: He introduced Jim Schweizer, Asst. Director. Gave update on renovations.
Sept. Current FYTD Total to Date Breakdown by Service:
Total Internments 385 4,771 192,107 Army 112 CG 1
Caskets 157 2,056 151,199 Navy 46 MM 1
Cremations 172 2,163 38,694 Air Force 12
Columbarium 56 552 2,214 Marines 14
Female Veterans – Total 1,476
Veterans Training Service [VETS] – Jodi Bean: Gave an update. Some large corporate sponsors are being met with. Forbes magazine will be doing an article on hiring vets.
3. Federal Congressional Senators and Representatives
Senator Amy Klobuchar – Martin Ludden: Gave update on Sen. Klobuchar’s activities. Gave update on stop loss and St. Cloud land swap.
Senator Al Franken – Nate Arch: Gave update on Flood and Sen. Franken’s activities.
1st District Representative – Tim Walz – Shawn Schloesser: Gave update on Rep. Walz activities and had a handout on legislation.
2nd District Representative – John Kline – Chaz Johnson: Gave report on Rep. Kline’s activities and encouraged everyone to get involved with Beyond the Yellow Ribbon.
3rd District Representative – Erik Paulsen – Krista Carlson: Gave update on Rep. Paulson’s activities.
4th District Representative – Betty McCollum – Connie Haddeland: Gave an update on Rep. McCollum’s activities. Also gave out 2 handouts.
5th District Representative – Keith Ellison – Mike Siebenaler: Gave update on Rep. Ellison’s
activities.
6th District Representative – Michelle Bachmann – Nicole Severson: Gave update on Rep. Bachman’s activities an also encouraged participation in Beyond the Yellow Ribbon.
7th District Representative – Collin Peterson – Al Loehr: Gave special recognition to MG Shellito. Gave report on Rep. Peterson’s activities.
8th District Representative – James Oberstar – Joe Ellickson: Absent.
4. Announcements –
Ralph gave report on flood assistance – TREA has some money available for this. Al Loehr introduced Ray Trebus, who is the VFW State Sr. Vice Cmdr. Jerry K. added recognition for MG Shillito.
5. Meeting in Recess for 10 minutes
6. Old Business –
Treasurer’s report-given: starting balance – 4,519.95; deposits – $100.00; expenses – $115.00; ending balance – $4,504.95. Everyone is paid up for the year.
7. New Business –
Don Rask asked about Col. Wofford dues. Motion Lawrence Dean, 2nd Joe Schirmmers to return his dues to where ever the family would like it to go. Motion Carried. Bob Erickson, Motion to help sponsor the printing of legislator information sheets up to $400.00. 2nd Nick Kokas. Motion carried. Ralph D. went through report of legislation issues. Ralph D. went over some of the issues that the MAG is working on.
8. Good of the Order –
December Mtg will be at National Guard facility 35W & 98th.
Motion to Adjourn by Nalapinske, second by Hassie. Motion carried.
Adjourned: 1220 Hrs. / Next Meeting 9:30 Hrs. – Wed, November 3, 2010 Building 9 Auditorium, Mpls Medical Center Campus, Mpls, MN.
Ralph Donais, Chairman: Phone: 763-441-2630 E-mail: r.l.donais@izoom.net
Jerry Kyser,1st Vice Chairman: Phone: 651-338-2717 E-mail: crazyjerry45@hotmail.com
Lawrence Dean, 2nd Vice Chairman: Phone: 651-484-2837 E-mail: lodean.1@juno.com
Don Rask, Treasurer: Phone: 651-647-0398 E-mail: rchief1533@comcast.net
Fay Hassie, Secretary: Phone: 651-698-5860 E-mail: fhassie@q.net