UVLC Minutes – Wednesday, May 7, 2010
• Call to order – 0930 Hrs.
• Invocation – Lt. Col. Adelsman – MNNG Chaplain
• Pledge of Allegiance – Howard Wilson
• Recognition of visitors and guests and Commander’s of VSO’s
• Reports from: Chairman, Ralph Donais – Vice Chairman, Jerry Kyser : Met w/Oberstar on Federal law for businesses. Honor flight will return 10:30-11:00 p.m. May 22, 2010. He would like to have a better turn out for the return. Honorflighttwincities.org. Ralph D. – if you need flag cases he has brochures from Hastings Vets Homes. He also has brochures on Social security. Military Family day at Dakota County Fairgrounds is May 22, 12:00-4:00.
1. State Agencies and MN Veteran Assistance Organizations
MN Dept of Veteran Affairs – Dept. Commissioner – Reggie Worlds: Passed out summary of State Veteran Benefits.
Gil Acevedo – Vets Homes: Thanked all for continued support. Veterans Homes are doing very well.
Amy Rudolph: gave an update on the current legislation.
MN Veterans 2009 Legislative Info – Information Officer – Anna Long: Newsletters available. She has some samples of flyers. This Saturday has been set aside as VE Day. MN Korean War Veterans are sponsoring a program June 19 1:30 p.m. at state capitol 60 years after start of war.
MNDVA has developed a survey online. www.minnesotaveteran.org. They have started putting ads on light rail/buses to feature benefits.
MN Military Affairs – Officer Candidate Fisher – MN National Guard recognized as a outstanding National Guard. New F-16s started arriving in Duluth. Combat teams are training at Ripley.
MN Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) – Kathy Vitalis: Gave an update on MACV,s grants. They are starting a quarterly newsletter. May 25-26 is the Metro Standdown. They are helping work on Vets courts. Quest Pioneers are raffling off a Harley for MACV.
MN Veterans Initiatives Center and Research Institute (VICTRI) – Jim Coulthard gave update on reorganization of VICRI and on projects.
Wilderness Inquiry Grant Program – Amanda Lariviere – Explained their programs, and handed out information. Have a new grant for Iraq/Afghan spinal cord injuries & for families/caregivers.
Beyond the Yellow Ribbon: John Stepan TAA (Transition Assistance Advisor): Explained CBWTU program. MN has conferences in the state (only state that has them) – next one is in September. He spoke about Airborne Association Celebration on June 26 at drop zone in Baldwin WI.
Other MN Veteran Organizations: None
2. Federal Agencies
VISN 23 – Barbara Oemke, Acting Business Office Manager: Cynthia is becoming Director in Ashville, NC. Newsletter at back of room. They have been working well with ARRA. They are working with the community as well as in house to work on homeless vets.
VA Regional Office – Donald Munro – Acting Director: Gave a brief bio and explained what is happening with the move etc. Move will be for 10 years. Property tax letters should be out end of May. Spoke on Fry Scholarship Program.
Mpls VA Medical Center – Mike Rosecrans, Director: 2nd Fisher house ground breaking last week. The parking lot is under construction. Jerry K. commented on the great help the VAMC Mpls has been in loaning the honor flight 70-80 wheelchairs for each honor flight.
St Cloud VA Medical Center – Barb Oemcke – Barry Ball sent thank you to all. Construction is progressing. 4 Projects are on for next year. They have several new staff members.
New Brighton Vets Center : Absent – They are at training.
Ft Snelling Cemetery – Art Smith, Director:
April Current FYTD Total to Date Breakdown by Service:
Total Internments 439 2,589 189,925 Army 22 CG 1
Caskets 182 1,262 150,405 Navy 54 MM 3
Cremations 206 1,075 37,606 Air Force 14
Columbarium 51 252 1,914 Marines 24
Female Veterans – Total 1,444
Jim Gemmell will be coming to next meeting. They asst. has been named but no date for arriving. Memorial Day May 31, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. Dr. Petzel is on program. Grounds work progressing.
Veterans Training Service [VETS] – Jodi Bean: Job Fair today. Some new Grants are being applied for.
Employer Partnership Program – Renee Chase – Explained how the program works, and gave a handout to tell how to use the website.
3. Federal Congressional Senators and Representatives
Senator Amy Klobuchar – Greg Swanholm: Gave report on Sen. Klobuchar’s activities.
Senator Al Franken – Nicole Ly: Absent .
1st District Representative – Tim Walz – Shawn Schloesser: Gave report on Rep. Waltz activities.
2nd District Representative – John Kline – Chaz Johnson: Gave report on Rep. Kline’s activities
3rd District Representative – Erik Paulsen – John-Paul Yates: Gave report on Rep. Paulsen’s actiities.
4th District Representative – Betty McCollum – Connie Haddeland: Presented a summary of the act on health care. They will sign it today. Also gave a report on Betty’s activities.
5th District Representative – Keith Ellison – Mike Siebenaler: Absent.
6th District Representative – Bachmann – Chase R. Kroll: Gave short report on Jobs Forums they are doing on May 10,2010.
7th District Representative – Collin Peterson – Al Loehr: Gave report on Rep. Peterson’s activities. Gave special attention to the Omnibus Health Care Act
8th District Representative – James Oberstar – Melissa Jabas : gave report on Rep Oberstar’s activities.
Announcements – Ralph D. spoke on using the internet and the importance of staying current. Jerry K. spoke about the Air & Space Museum and that the go ahead had been given. Also need to have a space to store the new plane until the museum is built.
5. Meeting in Recess for 10 minutes
6. Old Business –
Treasurer’s report-given: Starting Balance-$4,340.49; income-$600.00; expenses-
$125.75; ending balance-$4,814.75.
7. New Business –
Jerry K. thanked UVLC for donations to Honor Flight and also reported on the
Honor Flight.
8. Good of the Order –
Announced some facts about August meeting and the possible flight to Camp Ripley.
Motion Adjourn by Hassie, second by Loehr. Motion carried.
Adjourned: 1220 Hrs. / Next Meeting 9:30 Hrs. – Wed, June 2, 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: Hassco@iname.com