UVLC Minutes – Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Call to order – 0930 Hrs.
Invocation – 1Lt. Kelly Adelsman – MNNG Chaplain
Pledge of Allegiance – Howard Wilson Merchant Marines of MN
Recognition of visitors and guests and Commander’s of VSO’s : Jimmy Coulthard introduced the
new CEO of VICRI, Larry Joseph.
Reports from: Chairman, Ralph Donais -Absent – Vice Chairman, Jerry Kyser : Honor Flight went well. Thanks to everyone for the support. Next flight is Oct. 23, 2010. Commissioner Pugliese gave an award to the AMVETS Commander.
1. State Agencies and MN Veteran Assistance Organizations
MN Dept of Veteran Affairs – Dept. Commissioner – Mike Pugliese: Passed out summary of state veteran benefits.
Amy Rudolph: Gave an update on the legislation & passed out 2 handouts also talked about state park passes for anyone w/disability. They have fixed language on Purple Heart Plate and are expanding program for small business. Also, reminded everyone that anyone with 70%- 100% must recertify each year for the property tax forgiveness.
MN Veterans 2009 Legislative Info – Information Officer – Anna Long – Absent
MN Military Affairs – Officer Candidate Fisher: He reported on update of Armory, and Hanger at Camp Ripley. Welcome home for 114 transportation Co. is Sept 19. Hennepin Co will be first Vet Court in MN it should start in July. He introduced Annette Kuyper as coordinator.
MN Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) – Kathy Vitalis: Gave an update on MACV & had 2 handouts. The first issue of the new newsletter first issue is out. She gave a Standown update.
MN Veterans Initiatives Center and Research Institute (VICTRI) – Jim Coulthard gave update on reorganization of VICRI and on projects. Civil War: MN Boys of ’61: Frank Tageonon: Explained their programs, and handed out information.
Other MN Veteran Organizations: None
2. Federal Agencies
VISN 23 – Barbara Oemke, Acting Business Office Manager: Gave an overview of updates in VISN 23 and gave a handout.
VA Regional Office – Peter Panos – They are going on with the move. Property tax letters should have gone out. The VA wants those who are getting snail mail to use Direct Express. It works like master card. Homeless vet toll free number so no one has to be homelass-24/7: 1-877-424-3838.
Mpls VA Medical Center – Mike Rosecrans, Director: today is volunteer recognition day.
St. Cloud VA Medical Center – Barb Oemcke – Barry Ball sent regards. Had a large Memorial Day Proram. Construction is progressing. Report on Golf Course reconstruction. Award given to Cynthia Bryfogle.
New Brighton Vets Center : Absent –
Ft Snelling Cemetery – Brad Butler for Art Smith, Director:
May Current FYTD Total to Date Breakdown by Service:
Total Internments 418 3,007 190,343 Army 107 CG 4
Caskets 140 1,402 150,545 Navy 61 MM 3
Cremations 223 1,298 37,829 Air Force 23
Columbarium 55 307 1,969 Marines 20
Female Veterans – Total 1,447
Jim Gemmell will be coming to next meeting. The Assistant Director has been named but no date for arriving. Grounds work is progressing.
Veterans Training Service [VETS] – Jodi Bean: Absent – Had her baby.
3. Federal Congressional Senators and Representatives
Senator Amy Klobuchar – Greg Swanholm: Introduced Martin Ludden who will be in charge of veterans outreach. Martin gave report on legislation. Greg 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 and a hand out from Congressman Walz.
2nd District Representative – John Kline – Chaz Johnson: Gave report on Rep. Kline’s
activities. There will be an interview with Rep. Kline on MPR.org.
3rd District Representative – Erik Paulsen – John-Paul Yates: Absent.
4th District Representative – Betty McCollum – Connie Haddeland: Presented a summary on
concurrent bill. Also gave a report on Betty’s activities.
5th District Representative – Keith Ellison – Mike Siebenaler: Absent.
6th District Representative – Bachmann – Chase R. Kroll: Absent.
7th District Representative – Collin Peterson – Al Loehr: Gave report on Rep. Peterson’s activities. Reported on the new road proposal through the St. Cloud VAMC Golf Course.
8th District Representative – James Oberstar – Joe Ellickson: gave report on Rep Oberstar’s
activities.
4. Announcements –
Jerry announcement about new Air & Space Museum-governor gave his ok yesterday also DNR & Parks Dept. June 19 state capitol mall 60th Anniversary Korean War June 14 ground breaking for Bldg 9.
5. Meeting in Recess for 10 minutes
6. Old Business –
Treasurer’s report-given: $100.00; expenses-$144.75; ending balance-$4,732.73. Gave membership listing of who had not paid dues.
7. New Business –
Motion: Be it Resolved: The United Veterans Legislative Council, representing 40 veteran support organizations and 400,000 veterans, supports the St. Cloud Veterans Administration Medical Center in their efforts to achieve fair resolution to bridge and road construction plans which will impact the St. Cloud Veterans Administration Medical Center Golf Course. We encourage intergovernmental cooperation to achieve this goal. Motion Bob Erickson, second Lawrence Dean, Motion carried.
8. Good of the Order –
July 7 @St. Cloud VA next meeting. Working on flight to Camp Ripley. Announced some facts about August meeting and the possible flight to Camp Ripley. Motion to Adjourn by Hassie, second by Loehr. Motion carried.
Adjourned: 1220 Hrs. / Next Meeting 9:30 Hrs. – Wed, July 7, 2010 St. Cloud Medical Center Campus, St. Cloud, 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: 651-698-58