UVLC Minutes – Wednesday, July 7, 2010
• Call to order – 0945 Hrs.
• Invocation – Rev. Linda Campbell St. Cloud VAMC Chaplain
• Pledge of Allegiance – Don Rask
• Greetings from Barry Bahl and Recognition of visitors and guests and Commander’s of VSO’s :
• Reports from: Chairman, Ralph Donais –Gave update on his travels with the choir – Vice Chairman, Jerry Kyser : Award for Rep. Severson with a short speech from Rep. Severson. Honor Flight went well. Thanks to everyone for the support. Next flight is Oct. 23, 2010.
1. State Agencies and MN Veteran Assistance Organizations
MN Dept of Veteran Affairs – Dept. Commissioner – Mike Pugliese: Absent. Amy Rudolph: Gave an update on the legislation. Homes are moving forward with Medicare and also on centralized pharmacy. Also update on Bldg 4 & resolving issues with Historical Society.
MN Veterans 2009 Legislative Info – Information Officer – Anna Long – gave update and has newsletters available. Also commented on Historic Ft. Snelling.
MN Military Affairs – Col. Ahlness : He reported on homecoming. 114 transportation Co. was awarded best transportation Co. Talked about buying covenants around bases. First Lady will be going around the state on July 28. Jerry K. talked about requirements for flight to Camp Ripley.
MN Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) – Kathy Vitalis: Gave an update on MACV & Duluth update. MACV was awarded employment grants. She gave standdown update.
MN Veterans Initiatives Center and Research Institute (VICTRI) – Absent
Bryan McDonough Military Heroes Foundation: Tom McDonough: Absent.
Other MN Veteran Organizations: None
2. Federal Agencies
VISN 23 – Barry Bahl : Gave an overview of updates in VISN 23 and gave a handout.
VA Regional Office – Peter Panos – They are going on with the move.
Mpls VA Medical Center – Mike Rosecrans, Director: Absent.
St. Cloud VA Medical Center – Barry Bahl – Briefly reviewed the points on his handout.
New Brighton Vets Center : Absent –
Ft Snelling Cemetery – Report sent by James Gemmell – Brad Butler supplied the following:
June Current FYTD Total to Date Breakdown by Service:
Total Internments 529 3,536 190,872 Army 145 CG 0
Caskets 181 1,583 150,726 Navy 59 MM 0
Cremations 276 1,574 38,105 Air Force 37
Columbarium 72 379 2,041 Marines 18
Female Veterans – Total 1,453
Veterans Training Service [VETS] – Jodi Bean: Absent – Had her baby.
3. Federal Congressional Senators and Representatives
Senator Amy Klobuchar – Martin Ludden called Jerry K. and is working on Merchant Marine money.
Senator Al Franken – Nicole Ly: Absent .
1st District Representative – Tim Walz – Shawn Schloesser: Absent.
2nd District Representative – John Kline – Chaz Johnson: Gave report on Rep. Kline’s activities. There will be a job fair at Inver Hills Community College on Monday.
3rd District Representative – Erik Paulsen – John-Paul Yates: Absent.
4th District Representative – Betty McCollum – Connie Haddeland: Absent.
5th District Representative – Keith Ellison – Mike Siebenaler: Absent.
6th District Representative – Michelle Bachmann – Nicole Severson: Gave a report on Veterans History Project.
7th District Representative – Collin Peterson – Al Loehr: Gave report on Rep. Peterson’s activities. Gave report on Arlington Cemetery markers.
th District Representative – James Oberstar – Joe Ellickson: Absent.
4. Announcements –
Ralph gave report on events should be e-mailed to him. He also talked about retiree events. Jerry K. showed video of last Honor Flight. He needs 360 guardians in 2011-12.
5. Meeting in Recess for 10 minutes
6. Old Business –
Treasurer’s report-given: starting balance – 4,732.73; deposits – $200.00; expenses – $144.75; ending balance – $4,787.98. Gave membership listing of who had not paid dues. Jerry K. gave report on letter UVLC wrote to support St. Cloud VAMC.
7. New Business –
Jerry K gave report on report card for legislators. Jerry moved that we spend the necessary resources to get a report card together and send it out. Second by Xavior Gagnon. Motion carried.
8. Good of the Order –
Working on flight to Camp Ripley. Announced some facts about August meeting and the flight to Camp Ripley.
Motion to Adjourn by Nalapinske, second by Loehr. Motion carried.
Adjourned: 1220 Hrs. / Next Meeting 9:30 Hrs. – Wed, August 4, 2010 Camp Ripley, 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