2025 Meeting Minutes

 

 

Vietnam Veterans of America

Charles S. Kettles Chapter 310

Regular Membership Meeting Minutes

 

13 November 2025

Call to Order by President Vance McCrumb at 1907

Flag Salute: Vance McCrumb

Opening Prayer: Budd Frye

Moment of Silence for POW/MIA’S, their families and those who are serving in hazardous places around the world.

Roll Call: A quorum was established.  Welcome Home Everyone!

New Members: None

Guests: None

Motion: by Throneberry/Frye to approve the October Minutes published on the website.  Approved.

Officer Reports:

President’s Report: 

Please see the President’s remarks in the Dispatch and online at https://vva310.org. 

Finance Report:  Luker.  Reports were emailed to the board.  Reports are also available to members via email upon request.

Non-restricted Fund Revenue

$1,030 merchandise sales and donation at Ann Arbor VA with $322 cost of goods sold for a 56% profit margin on merchandise sales and 69% profit margin including donation less $146 or 20% fee to AA VA on merchandise sales for a 53% profit margin.

Non-restricted Fund Expenses: 

$1,050 impulse donation to fund Vietnam Memorial Maintenance Fund.

Restricted Funds Revenue:

a.   $1,050 funding from VVA 310 to fund Vietnam Memorial Maintenance Fund.

b.   $550 donations to Deployed Troops Fund. 

Restricted Funds Expenses:

a.   $10,000 donation to Fisher House Michigan from Ann Arbor VA Patients Fund

b.   $216 maintenance expenditures for the Vietnam Memorial. 

AVVA Report: The AVVA report is being emailed separately to those who request it.  The AVVA report is also online at https://vva310.org/newsletter.

Committee Reports:

Merchandise: The next VA sale will be on Black Friday from 0800 to 1400.

Washtenaw County Council of Veterans: No report

Michigan State Council: Their next meeting will be on 20 November in Port Huron.  We are hosting the next one here on 14 March so we would appreciate good attendance.  The meeting will start at 1000.

Memorial Maintenance: Luker – Due to poor health, Fredo resigned and nominated Luker for Committee Chair.  President McCrumb approved.  The work is done for the year.  Water will be turned off tomorrow.  The landscape improvement project is done.  The township is now cutting the grass outside the boxwood bushes.  Crews will continue to cut the infield and do all the trimming and cleanup, etc.  We’d like to have 5 teams with three people each next year, so the workload is not difficult.  Please consider joining a team next year.

Website: McCrumb - We have had over 499805 hits since the website was last rebuilt.  Upgrades are done and working.  The blog page has been built.  We are now able to log in.  Contact me if you forgot or need to be assigned a login.

Membership: McCrumb – 227.

Newsletter:  McCrumb - The Dispatch has been published bi-monthly.  We’d like folks to transition to the online version. No new printed subscriptions are being accepted.

Health Care: Wilson – Although Congress is back at work, we still don’t know what Congress intends to do with the VA.  All we know for sure is things will be different.

LTCCSKMC: McCrumb.  The VA held a nice event in the lobby the Sunday before Veterans Day.  They provided lots of informational brochures, snacks and pop.  Mental healthcare is still a problem.  The VA still doesn’t hire psychologists.  They do hire social workers, but you only get done what can be done in 13 weeks.  The psychiatrist (there is only one) is scheduled to see a patient every 5 minutes, so there is only time to review the medication orders. 

Unfinished Business:  None.

New Business:   None.

Good of the Order:

McCrumb: Breakfast on Friday will be at 0900 at Sinbad's Coney Island Restaurant, 2563 Ellsworth Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, (734) 528-5800.

We are having a packing party here on Sunday at 1500.

There are some belts from Harley Davidson on the back table.  Help yourself.

Throneberry:  VVA President Tom Burke will be our live guest on Sunday.  Feel free to call in and ask questions about the future of VVA.  The number to call is 734 822-1600.  We are pleased to announce that is will also be our 22^nd anniversary program.  If you know of anyone who would like to learn how to host this program, please let me know.

Also, I was at the Veterans Day program held by WCC.  Kate Melcher was the keynote speaker.  She was very impressive.  She spoke about her ten years as an Apache pilot.

Finally, we had a last-minute opportunity for a fundraiser at PF Chang’s pop up.  It is today.  10 percent of all sales will be donated to Veterans Radio.

Wilson:  Our new VVA President is not talking about dissolution.  Instead, the word from VVA headquarters is “merger.”  There is still discussion about whether the merger will be a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization or a 501(c)(19).  A (c)(3) organization is eligible for corporate donations but cannot lobby as much as a (c)(19).  A (c)(19) must have 75% of its members be veterans and is not eligible for most corporate donations but can lobby as one of its main functions.  The new president has already asked members to suggest a name for the merged organization.  Vietnam Veterans of America Legacy Society can’t be given a registered trademark, so it must be something else.

Closing Prayer: Frye

Flag Salute: McCrumb

Meeting Adjourned at 1946.

 

 

9 October 2025

Call to Order by President Vance McCrumb at 1900

Flag Salute: Vance McCrumb

Opening Prayer: Bob Bull

Moment of Silence for POW/MIA’S, their families and those who are serving in hazardous places around the world.

Roll Call: A quorum was established. Welcome Home Everyone!

New Members: Ed Mitchell will file his paperwork shortly

Guests: None

Motion: by Clarke/Frye to approve the September Minutes published on the website. Approved.

Officer Reports:

President’s Report: 

Please see the President’s remarks in the Dispatch and online at https://vva310.org. In addition, I was impressed by the 9/11 ceremony the scouts conducted before our last meeting. We are now conducting what are called “house meetings” which give all the units that use this building a chance to discuss issues.

Finance Report: Luker. Reports were emailed to the board. Reports are also available to members via email upon request.

Statement of Revenue and Expenses: - Non-restricted Fund

1. Revenue:

a. $2,985 merchandise sales and donations at Clinton Fall Festival with $1,283 cost of goods sold for a 57% profit margin.

b. $175 additional revenue from Pig Roast

c. $163 50/50 at the August and September monthly meetings. Both winners contributed their winnings to the Chapter. Thank you.

2. Expenses: Nothing significant.

Statement of Revenue and Expenses: - Restricted Funds

1. Revenue: Nothing significant.

2. Expenses:

a. $1,140 pajamas for women patients and t-shirts and underwear for male patients at the Ann Arbor VA.

b. $631 maintenance expenditures for the Vietnam Memorial. 

c. $430 supplies for packing party on Sunday, Nov. 16th for deployed troops. 

Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Fund Balance:

1. $72,194 balance in Vietnam Memorial Long-term Landscaping Restricted Account represents total project donations.

2. $85,374 balance in Construction-in-Process represents total funds expended on project to date. We have withdrawn $50,000 from our Capital Markets account as a temporary loan to support the project. This amount will be repaid to our Capital Markets account. 

AVVA Report: The AVVA report is being emailed separately to those who request it. The AVVA report is also online at https://vva310.org/newsletter.

Committee Reports:

Merchandise: Harrison – We did well at the Clinton Fall Festival. I really appreciate those who showed up to help, especially when we put out a last-minute call and many responded. I put in the reservation for our usual space at the VA for next Tuesday. I haven’t been able to contact the new manager yet, but we are planning on doing the sale. Please help.

Washtenaw County Council of Veterans: Our next meeting is on the 20^th, and we will have a speaker from the VA. 

Michigan State Council: Their next meeting will be here on 14 March. We are hosting this meeting so we would appreciate good attendance. The meeting will start at 1000. Luker will keep his hands off the paddle.

Memorial Maintenance: Luker – Since we have several teams who are having a hard time pushing the mower on the center grass, we’ve asked the township for help. They agreed to cut everything outside the center so that each team can focus on the infield and take turns pushing. Also, Matt Dohring, Ypsilanti Township head of Parks and Grounds, joined team 3 and will cut the infield after work. The township recommends we get a lawnmower that will cut at 6 inches for next year. We have a contract to add irrigation, replace one dead tree under warranty, and fix the patio, all of which will be done this year.

Website: McCrumb - We have had over 495,405 hits since the website was last rebuilt. Upgrades are done and working. The blog page has been built but it will take longer to get it set up for members to sign in and post things.

Membership: McCrumb – 222.

Newsletter: McCrumb - The Dispatch has been published bi-monthly. I’m thinking of making it quarterly, unless somebody volunteers to do it more often.

Health Care: Wilson - We still don’t know the impact of the changes going on at the VA. Let us know if you see any impact specifically tied to budget and staffing changes. The amazing news is the after only thirty-five years, the VA formally recognized Gulf War Syndrome as an official disease. It has its own diagnostic procedures, insurance code number, and preferred treatment.

LTCCSKMC: McCrumb. The VA is still running. The Gerofit program is good thing for people our age. Your primary care physician must recommend you to the program. If you need to lose weight, ask about the MOVE program while you are talking to your doctor. 

Unfinished Business: None.

New Business: None.

Good of the Order:

McCrumb: Breakfast on Friday will be at 0900 at the Bomber Restaurant, 306 E Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48198, (734) 482-0550.

Bull: The sock drive is still on and going well. The Moose Lodge provided over 1300 pairs of socks. Legions Posts and other Moose Lodges have socks I have to pick up. We were going to give socks to Detroit and Ann Arbor, but everything is going to Ann Arbor now.

McCrumb: Berry Bourne, John Kinzinger, and I went to Fisher House to present them with a check from us for $10,000. It was my first time there and I was really impressed.

McCrumb: November 16 at 1500 is the next packing party. If you arrive at 1505, they will be finished already. If you are bringing stuff for the boxes, be much earlier.

Luker: We are placing 22 crosses a day at the Ypsilanti Township grounds, just north of the Memorial for the rest of the month. Please feel free to join us any day at 1000. You don’t need to sign up. Just come to visit if you like. Also, on 2 November at 1300 will have a gathering at the crosses to give us a chance to reflect on those we’ve lost and to think about how to get help to those who need it. Hotdogs and beverages will be provided. Just bring a lawn chair.

Bull: An organization called Valor does the same only with flags and candles.

Closing Prayer: Bull

Flag Salute: McCrumb

Meeting Adjourned at 1939.

 

11 September 2025

Call to Order by President Vance McCrumb at 1935 after a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony conducted by the Scouts at 1900

Flag Salute: Vance McCrumb

Opening Prayer: Budd Frye

Moment of Silence for POW/MIA’S, their families and those who are serving in hazardous places around the world.

Roll Call: A quorum was established. Welcome Home Everyone!

New Members: None

Guests: None

Motion: by Clarke/Frye to approve the August Minutes published on the website. Approved.

Officer Reports:

President’s Report: 

Please see the President’s remarks in the Dispatch and online at https://vva310.org. In addition, Stan Harrison asked me to thank all those who showed up to help with the Pig Roast. Also, signup sheets are going around for support of the Clinton Fall Festival. We need help on Thursday 25 September to set up the tents and tables and such. Then we’ll need help over the weekend with sales and packing up.

Finance Report: Bourne. Reports were emailed to the board. Reports are also available to members via email upon request.

Statement of Revenue and Expenses: - Non-restricted Fund

1. Revenue:

a. $8,661 pig roast revenue and $2,679 expenses for the month. Pig roast YTD was $10,336 revenue and $2,736 expenses for a $7,600 profit. We allocated $165, second of five 50/50’s that day, to AVVA for their enormous assistance at the pig roast.

b. $2,679 merchandise sales and donations ($1,656 at Vet Fest and $993 at Pig Roast) with $1,139 cost of goods sold or 57% profit margin.

2. Expenses: Nothing significant other than pig roast expenses.

Statement of Revenue and Expenses: - Restricted Funds

1. Revenue: $4,100 August donations to Vietnam Memorial Long-term Landscaping Plan with total project donations of $72,094 and $85,374 total project expenditures.

2. Expenses: Nothing significant.

Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Fund Balance:

1. $72,094 balance in Vietnam Memorial Long-term Landscaping Restricted Account represents total project donations.

2. $85,374 balance in Construction-in-Process represents total funds expended on project to date. We have withdrawn $50,000 from our Capital Markets account as a temporary loan to support the project. This amount will be repaid to our Capital Markets account. 

AVVA Report: The AVVA report is being emailed separately to those who request it. The AVVA report is also online at https://vva310.org/newsletter.

Committee Reports:

Merchandise: Stan went to the VA to do our usual sale but discovered that somebody was in the space selling hats. Stan found out that there was a management change and the new people were not briefed about our monthly sale. We will not sell in the VA this month because we have to get ready for the Clinton Fall Festival but expect to be back at the VA in October.

Washtenaw County Council of Veterans: Nothing to report. 

Michigan State Council: No report. 

Memorial Maintenance: Luker – Leaks are fixed. We are getting an estimate to add two drip lines for the new plants. We are working with Leppek on a few punch list items. Once we decide what to replace the broken POW-MIA tabletop with, they will do that work also. We have ideas, but if you have any suggestions, please get them to Fredo, Wendy Hibbitts or Jon ASAP. We need a few more volunteers to join the Memorial Maintenance crew. We have had many crew require time off for various reasons. If you are willing and able to be standby help, please call Jon at 734-260-2211.

Website: McCrumb - We have had over 491,326 hits since the website was last rebuilt. We are going to be updating the security for the website in the next two weeks. There may be momentary periods when the website is unavailable. We are also going to add a blog page for members only. That will be a good place to continue the discussion about the future of VVA.

Membership: McCrumb – We have an application in the process for Army Veteran Tracy Mathews.

Newsletter: The Dispatch was published late due to a technical issue. We ask those of you who get a printed copy to agree to either give us your email address or to read it online. Each copy costs $1.40 for printing and mailing. In addition, there is a great deal of volunteer time tied up with folding, addressing, stamping and related tasks. That time could be used doing more important work.

Health Care: Wilson 

We still don’t know the impact of the changes going on at the VA. Let us know if you see any impact specifically tied to budget and staffing changes. 

I’ve been talking for years about the chemicals that have hurt us and our kids. It took 10 years to get a law passed that required the VA to study impact on kids of veterans. The VA refuses to obey that law because they are sure it will prove that males can pass on toxic exposure effects to their children and that would create an obligation for the VA to provide healthcare that the VA budget is far too low to accommodate. The better news is that the Ranch Hand study evidence is now in possession of people who will carry on the research. Now, it is more important than ever to do two things: First, be sure you have put in a claim for benefits for any of your children or grandchildren you think are impacted by toxic exposures. Our County Veterans Service Office will help prepare the paperwork and process those claims. Second, go to birth defects dot org (https://birthdefects.org/) to get your kids and grandkids on the birth defects registry. Researchers need that information to conduct needed research.

We had the national convention. There was a big mistake. National asked Jack Devine and his task force to develop a plan for the future, but they didn’t give the task force a list of things the future organization needs to accomplish. The proposed plan would create a new conglomerate which Sons and Daughters in Touch (SDIT) and MISSION POW-MIA were asked to join. SDIT just provides mutual moral support at recreational events. They don’t do anything else.

Which illustrates the point that if we don’t start by focusing on what we want to get done, we’re just a social club and nobody will miss us. No plan can work without being focused on that which must be accomplished. We need to develop a plan that will cause that stuff to be done.

LTCCSKMC: Kinzinger. Due to changes in volunteer interest and health, there will be no Halloween Party at the VA this year. There will be the usual Christmas party on 16 December 2025. We are purchasing more than the usual amount of underwear since the VA keeps listing that as a need. The Christmas shirts are being embroidered already. 

Unfinished Business: None.

New Business:

Motion by Luker, seconded by Bourne, to eliminate the Way Forward Fund and to transfer the funds to the investment account. Approved.

Good of the Order:

McCrumb: Breakfast on Friday will be at 0900 at Holiday’s Restaurant, 2080 W Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, (734) 668-1292.

McCrumb: Canes are in the back. Donations are requested. The average donation is $20.

Kinzinger: 16 November will be our next packing party at 1500. We have boxes and candy on the way. The boxes will go to deployed West Point graduates.

McCrumb: At the National Convention, we received our third Chapter of the Year Award, and we now have two National Members of the Year. Congratulations to Tim Driscoll for his years of hard work. Thanks to all our members for their hard work and dedication to veterans that makes these awards possible.

Throneberry: Our annual Veterans Radio fundraiser will be held on 28 September 2025 at Freedom River, 6716 Winans Lake Rd, Brighton, MI 48116. Hours will be 1300 to 1700. There will be raffles, music, time to share our stories and more. You can also get a ticket to ride the Michigan Flight Museum UH-1 Huey. Or buy a raffle ticket and win a ride! Other prizes include IFly tickets (simulated free fall), Golf at Fox Hills and many others.

Luker: Those who remember Beverly Conatser from her days as the director of volunteer services at the Charles Kettles VA may be pleased to know she is on the board of directors for Freedom River and was instrumental in securing significant funding for the program.

Closing Prayer: Frye

Flag Salute: McCrumb

Meeting Adjourned at 2014.

 

 

14 August 2025

Call to Order by Vice-President Stan Harrison at 1900 hrs.

Flag Salute: Stan Harrison

Opening Prayer: Bob Bull

Moment of Silence for POW/MIA’S, their families and those who are serving in hazardous places around the world.

Roll Call: A quorum was established. Welcome Home Everyone!

New Members: None

Guests: None

Motion: by Bob Bull/Tim Driscoll to approve the July Minutes as distributed. Approved.

Officer Reports:

President’s Report: 

Please see the President’s remarks online at https://vva310.org.

Finance Report: Harrison. Reports were emailed to the board. Reports are also available to members via email upon request.

Non-restricted Fund Revenue:

1. 1. $398 merchandise sales plus $204 donations at VA less $169 cost of goods sold, or 72% gross margin before 20% fee to VA

   2. $237 general fund private donations to Chapter

Non-restricted Fund Expenses:

1. $2,500 impulse donations ($1,000 to VVA Chapter 863 in Kerrville, TX for veterans’ relief due to the floods, $1,000 to Memorial Maintenance Fund and $500 to Vet Fest)

2. $2,400 convention expenses for three individuals to attend VVA National convention

3. $676 insurance coverage for the year

Restricted Fund Revenue:

1. 1. $10,400 July donations to Vietnam Memorial Long-term Landscaping Plan with total donations this fiscal year to date of $48,034 and $67,994 total project donations

   2. July 9^th fundraising event at the Freighthouse in Ypsilanti grossed $13,930 receipts less $1,447 expenses for a net $12,483 surplus. Thanks to John and Jane Kinzinger and others that helped in this effort. Very successful event.

Restricted Fund Expenses: Nothing significant

Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Fund Balance:

1. $67,994 balance in Vietnam Memorial Long-term Landscaping Restricted Account represents total project donations.

2. $85,374 balance in Construction-in-Process represents total funds expended on project to date. We have withdrawn $50,000 from our Capital Markets account as a temporary loan to support the project. This amount will be repaid to our Capital Markets account. 

AVVA Report: Meni Draper - The AVVA report is no longer being printed in the Dispatch but is being emailed separately to those who request it. The AVVA report is also online at https://vva310.org/newsletter.

Committee Reports:

Merchandise: Harrison – $398 total sales plus $204 donations at the VA on 15 July. We’ll be selling this Tuesday from 0830 to 1300. We will be selling at the Pig Roast. Pig Roast sign-up sheet is being passed around. Any help is appreciated.

Washtenaw County Council of Veterans: Bull – Guest speakers expected at Monday’s meeting. Working on a dinner. 

Michigan State Council: No meeting 

Memorial Maintenance: Merritt – He will be meeting with the lawn service contractor this week to finalize this year and a preview of next year.

Website: No report.

Membership: Harrison - We have 227 members.

Newsletter: The Dispatch will be published only every other month.

Health Care: Wilson – Ranch Hand samples birth defects moving forward. Important to register on birth defects registry. County will assist in filing paperwork. 

LTCCSKMC: Motion made by John Kinzinger/Dale Throneberry to fund $10,000 to Fisher House for a matching gift. Approved. 

Report from Convention: Wilson – Good people were elected. No real plans for dissolution were approved at the convention. Tim Driscoll as Veteran of the Year and VVA Chapter 310 as Chapter of the Year in the over 200-member category.

Unfinished Business: None.

New Business: None. 

Good of the Order:

Bull: Sock drive continues through September. 988 call number continues to gain exposure.

Throneberry: Radio on the River fundraiser Sept 28 at Freedom River in Brighton from 1-5pm.

Chapter: Recognized Tim Driscoll as Veteran of the Year Nationally with an ovation. Tim spoke on 310’s history of charity and fellowship and the importance of our motto.

Homeless Veteran: VA will investigate if one sees a homeless veteran. Call 877-424-3838 to report the location and the VA will send someone out to the site.

Closing Prayer: Bob Bull

Flag Salute: Stan Harrison

Breakfast at Sinbad’s tomorrow at 0900 hrs.

Meeting Adjourned at 2005 hrs.

 

10 July 2025

Call to Order by President Vance McCrumb at 1901 hrs.

Flag Salute: Vance McCrumb

Opening Prayer: Bob Bull

Moment of Silence for POW/MIA’S, their families and those who are serving in hazardous places around the world.

Roll Call: A quorum was established. Welcome Home Everyone!

New Members: Jim Green – US Army infantry unit commander 101^st Airborne, Vietnam ’71 and ‘72

Guests: None

Motion: by Al Merritt/Tim Driscoll to approve the June Minutes published on the website. Approved.

Officer Reports:

President’s Report: 

Please see the President’s remarks in the Dispatch and online at https://vva310.org.

Finance Report: Bourne. Reports were emailed to the board. Reports are also available to members via email upon request.

Nonrestricted Fund Revenue: 

1. $855 merchandise sales at VA less $410 cost of goods sold, or 52% gross margin before 20% fee to VA.

Nonrestricted Fund Expenses: Nothing significant.

Restricted Fund Revenue: $7,775 June donations to Vietnam Memorial Long-term Landscaping Plan with total donations this fiscal year to date of $37,634 which includes $14,852 from Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. $58,314 total project donations with $720 donated in July.

Restricted Fund Expenses: Nothing significant.

Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Fund Balance:

1. $57,594 balance in Vietnam Memorial Long-term Landscaping Restricted Account represents total project donations to today’s date.

2. $77,428 balance in Construction-in-Process represents total funds expended on project to date. We have withdrawn $50,000 from our Capital Markets account as a temporary loan to support the project. This amount will be repaid to our Capital Markets account by FY 28/29.

AVVA Report: The AVVA report is no longer being printed in the Dispatch but is being emailed separately to those who request it. The AVVA report is also online at https://vva310.org/newsletter.

Committee Reports:

Merchandise: Harrison – We had a good month. We took in $855. We can only take a little bit of stuff, so this is a good result. We’ll be selling this Tuesday from 0830 to 1300. We’ll be selling at the Pig Roast and at the Vet Fest. Any help is appreciated.

Washtenaw County Council of Veterans: Bull – Nothing to report. 

Michigan State Council: No report. 

Memorial Maintenance: Merritt – The Memorial grounds are looking good. The crews are doing a good job. The work on Phase Two will begin on 14 July and should be finished in July. We are taking action to determine if we have a water leak.

Website: McCrumb - We have had over 481,681 478,217 hits since the website was last rebuilt. That means we’ve had 3,464 hits since our June report.

Membership: McCrumb - We have 227 members.

Newsletter: The Dispatch will be published only every other month.

Health Care: No report. 

LTCCSKMC: No report. 

Unfinished Business: None.

New Business: None. 

Motion by Harrison, seconded by Rivers, to transfer $1,000 from the general fund to the Memorial Maintenance Restricted Fund. Approved.

Motion by Bahay, seconded by Driscoll, to rescind the 10 April decision to spend up to $3,000 total for the relief of the National Guard members impacted by the Northern Michigan storm. Approved.

Motion by Throneberry, seconded by Bull, to authorize up to $1,000 to be sent to a VVA chapter in Kerrville for relief of veterans impacted by the flood. Approved.

Good of the Order:

McCrumb: Breakfast on Friday will be at 0900 at the Bomber Restaurant, 306 E Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48198, (734) 482-0550.

McCrumb: Canes are in the back. Donations are requested. The average donation is $20.

Dunlap: Gerofit is an exercise program run by the VA for senior vets. The program gives older vets a chance to build strength, increase flexibility and improve balance. There is a swimming class once a week that uses the water as resistance for low-impact strength training. There are five days of online Zoom classes, that vary by day. One day is chair Yoga, another is Tai Chi and Chi gung. The other three are strength, flexibility and balance. Spouses may attend the online classes. The VA sends you resistance bands for strength work. They also have classes at the VA that only veterans may attend. Attendees are 60 and above. The gym is well equipped. There are six program staff to help with training and proper use of the equipment. You need your Primary Care Physician to refer you to the program.

Bull: 1. We are going to petition the trust fund to help us care for the bodies of veterans who died without next of kin. A new program allows next of kin to be appointed, but it does not cover the cremation cost. Since the trust fund does not believe it has the authority to use the funds that way, we are circulating a petition that will allow the trust fund to cooperate.

2. Green Alert bill is still stalled in the Michigan Legislature.

3. Once the state of Michigan agreed to put 988 stickers on all State Police cars, Michigan Department American Legion withdrew it resolution calling for that result. However, Michigan’s resolution was used to craft a resolution that will be presented at the American Legion National convention, urging all states to follow Michigan’s example.

4. The annual sock drive starts in August. Socks will go to both Ann Arbor and Detroit Fisher Houses. We distributed 1,800 pair last year. We want to double that this year.

5. Paulo and I are asking people to stop what they are doing at noon on the first Saturday of the month and ask God to protect our country and our veterans. There is so much going on. Our nation and our veterans need help.

Throneberry: 1. Be careful. There are lawyers and others out there that are charging veterans to process pensions. We call this “pension poaching” because lawyers take a portion of the proceeds to do what unpaid Veteran Services Officers will do for you for free.

2. Stars and Stripes says there will be a cut of 30,000 in the VA which will be achieved through attrition only. If you observe any impact on healthcare, notify VVA National.

3. Keep in mind that Veterans Radio is hosting its annual fundraiser on Sept. 28^th from 1:00-5:00pm

4. Our Veterans Radio program this week features Jim Fasone interviewing a medal of honor recipient. Please link to us on social media.

Hall: Bonnie and I will be out of town at the Cheeseburger festival, so we will not be providing hot dogs and brats for next month’s meeting.

McCrumb: There were snacks and beverages left over from last night’s fundraising event for the Long-Term Memorial project. We delivered them to Fisher House.

Closing Prayer: Bull

Flag Salute: McCrumb

Meeting Adjourned at 1955 hrs.

 

Email Board of Directors Meeting – 11 July 2025

Call to Order by Vice President Harrison at 1848 hrs.

Roll Call: Attendees/Absent - Vance McCrumb, Stan Harrison, Berry Bourne, Jon Luker, Eric Downie, Bob Bull, Bob Kwiecinski, Tim Driscoll, Marv Rivers, Dale Throneberry, Budd Frye.

A quorum was established.

New Business:

Motion By McCrumb, seconded by Bourne, to increase the convention budget to $2,400.00 to be split three ways. A roll call vote was conducted.

Yea: Kwiecinski, Bourne, Harrison, Downie, Frye, Throneberry, Rivers, Bull.

Nay:

Abstain: Luker, Driscoll

Motion approved.

Meeting adjourned at 1543 on 15 July 2025

 

12 June 2025

Call to Order by President Vance McCrumb at 1858 hrs.

Flag Salute: McCrumb

Opening Prayer: Bob Bull

Moment of Silence for POW/MIA’S, their families and those who are serving in hazardous places around the world.

Roll Call: A quorum was established. Welcome Home Everyone!

New Members: Allen Knecht – US Army 2LT, 19^th Combat Engineer Battalion

Guests: Jim Green – US Army infantry unit commander 101^st Airborne, Vietnam ’71 and ‘72.

Motion: by Al Merritt/Bob Bull to approve the May Minutes published in the Dispatch. Approved.

Officer Reports:

President’s Report: 

Please see the President’s remarks in the Dispatch and online at https://vva310.org.

Finance Report: Bourne. Reports were emailed to the board. Reports are also available to members via email upon request.

Nonrestricted Fund Revenue: 

1. $1,500 Pig Roast donations

2. $458 merchandise sales and donations at Ann Arbor VA with $206 cost of goods sold, 55% gross margin, before a 20% fee to the VA.

Nonrestricted Fund Expenses: 

1. $511 for stamps to mail the Dispatch before five cent increase from $0.73 to $0.78 in July

2. $171 for flowers at Vietnam Memorial for Memorial Day Remembrance.

Restricted Fund Revenue: $19,602 donated in May to Vietnam Memorial Long-term Landscaping Plan with total donations this fiscal year to date of $29,859 which includes $14,852 from Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. $52,419 total project donations with $2,600 donated in June.

Restricted Fund Expenses: 

1. $1,665 to Ann Arbor VA for underwear for male and female veterans

2. $218 for maintenance of Vietnam Memorial

Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Fund Balance:

1. Vietnam Memorial Long-term Landscaping Restricted Account $52,419

Represents total project donations to today’s date

2. Construction-in-Process $73,679

Represents total funds expended on project to date. We have withdrawn $50,000 from our Capital Markets account as a temporary loan to support the project. This amount will be repaid to our Capital Markets accounts.

AVVA Report: The AVVA report is no longer being printed in the Dispatch but is being emailed separately to those who request it. The AVVA report is also online at https://vva310.org/newsletter.

Committee Reports:

Merchandise: Harrison – Merchandise sales at the VA were $458. Our next sale on the 3^rd floor of VA at the café will be Tuesday 17 June from 0830 to 1300. Any help is appreciated.

Washtenaw County Council of Veterans: Bull – The Annual Dinner is set for 23 March 2026 at the Saline American Legion Post. We will discuss the Michigan Trust Fund at our next meeting on Monday, 16 June. 

Michigan State Council: Wilson – The State Council will meet this weekend in Monroe. 

Memorial Maintenance: Merritt – The Memorial grounds are looking good. The crews are doing a good job. The contract for Phase Two has been signed. We are the next job in line for Leppek Landscaping, which should mean the work will start this month.

Website: McCrumb - We have had over 478,217 hits since the website was last rebuilt. That means we’ve had 5,918 hits since our May report.

Membership: McCrumb - We have 224 members. I don’t get monthly reports anymore, but I do have access to National’s database, so I can get whatever information we need.

Newsletter: President McCrumb is requesting a new editor for the Dispatch. Until then, the Dispatch will be published only every other month.

Health Care: Wilson – We are still expecting more cuts to the VA budget so keep an eye out for any impact you see and let me know. 

LTCCSKMC: You heard about the underwear purchase for the VA. Our next event is the Halloween party. 

Unfinished Business: None.

New Business: None. 

Good of the Order:

Kinzinger – There will be a fundraiser for the Vietnam Memorial Long-term Landscaping Project at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse in Depot Town from 1830 to 2100 on 9 July 2025. The twenty-dollar cover charge will take care of snacks and drinks. Two bands will play, one of which is Nuclassica, an electronic band our Stacey Mason plays for. It will be a fun night that will include a live auction.

Throneberry – The Veterans Radio annual fundraiser will be held at Freedom River this year on 28 September. It is a new veterans recreation area located at 6716 Winans Lake Rd, Brighton, MI 48116. There will be stories and music and fun as usual, but we will also have helicopter rides available. A Huey from the Michigan Flight Museum will give rides for a fee.

Harrison – Right before that will be the Clinton Fall Festival, 26, 27 and 28 September. Be sure to come out.

Kinzinger – Speaking of Freedom River, they will be dedicating their new 60-foot-tall flagpole in the morning on Flag Day.

Harrison – Also, don’t forget the Pig Roast at the Saline American Legion on 23 August.

Bull a. The resolution to require the 988 sticker on all Michigan State Police vehicles was approved and will be implemented starting with new cars.

2. Michigan Department of American Legion is going to ask National to ask all states to encourage their state police to use the 988 stickers.

3. There are only 11 states that don’t have the Green Alert system in place. Michigan is one of them. Green Alerts work like Amber alerts except that they pertain to veterans instead of children. One thing it does is allow people to report a missing veteran right away.

4. Vet Fest is scheduled for 2 August 2025, at Washtenaw Community College main campus. This year we will be blessed with the presence of the Secretary of State’s mobile office. Veterans will be able to get licenses reinstated, take care of expired license plates, upgrade their driver’s license to enhanced and so forth.

5. We will run the VA sock drive again during August and September. We did well last year, but we need to do even better this year. All socks are given to the VA.

McCrumb – The Scout Troop that meets here will retire thousands of flags on Flag Day in the morning. They do a respectful and efficient job. You are welcome to come out to observe, show support or participate.

McCrumb – There is a 42-page pdf slide presentation being circulated that discusses the potential futures of VVA National. It also talks about the impact of those futures on state councils and local chapters. Sandie Wilson has volunteered to meet with us to discuss the contents of the document and its ramifications and answer your questions. However, we need a decent number of people to attend to make it worth the trouble. If you would like to attend such a session, please let me know. If enough people show interest, we’ll plan it.

Wilson - I met with second-year medical students from Wayne State University who were getting ready to begin internships at VA facilities. I was able to help them understand that veterans are different from the ordinary citizens they are used to dealing with.

Merritt - Breakfast on Friday will be at 0900 at Holiday’s Restaurant, 2080 W Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, (734) 668-1292.

Closing Prayer: Bull

Flag Salute: McCrumb

Meeting Adjourned at 1939 hrs.

  

 

 

8 May 2025

Call to Order by Vice President Harrison at 1800 hrs.

Flag Salute:  Harrison

Prayer: Bull

Roll Call: Attendees/Absent - Vance McCrumb (Excused), Stan Harrison, Berry Bourne, Jon Luker (Excused), Eric Downie, Dale Throneberry (Excused), Marv Rivers, 

Budd Frye, John Kinzinger (Excused), Bob Bull, Bob Kwiecinski, Tim Driscoll. A quorum was established.

 

Consent Agenda:

Board Meeting Agenda, Regular Meeting Agenda and Minutes of the last board meeting were approved without objection.

 

Finance Report: Bourne 

Reports were emailed to the board. Reports are also available to members via email upon request.

Statement of Revenue and Expenses: - Non-restricted Fund

1. Revenue:

   1. $1,308 membership dues rebates from VVA. The per member amount was reduced to $6.00 per member from $9.00 last year’s amount 

   2. $1,343 from Annual Recognition Dinner less $2,256 expenses for a $913 deficit compared to a $907 deficit last year. Annual budget this year is $1,000 deficit. 

   3. $758 merchandise sales less $324 cost of goods sold, or 57% gross margin

2. Expenses:

   1. $3,250 donation to Vietnam Memorial Long-term Landscaping plan. This represents FY ’26 annual budgeted amount. 

   2. $100 refund of two membership dues because of long delay in receiving DD 214.

Statement of Revenue and Expenses: - Restricted Funds

1. Revenue:

   1. $4,600 donations to Vietnam Memorial Long-term Landscaping Plan with total donations to date of $30,217 which includes $6,500 from VVA 310

   2. Other

2. Expenses: - Nothing significant

Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Fund Balance:

1. $30,217 balance in Vietnam Memorial Long-term Landscaping Restricted Account represents donations only

2. $28,632 balance in Construction-in-Process represents total funds expended on project to date

Old Business: None 

New Business: Pig Roast Planning meeting at 1500 hrs. 20 May 2025, at American Legion - Saline 

Meeting adjourned at 1814 hrs.

 

10 April 2025

Call to Order by Vice President Marv Rivers at 1900

Flag Salute: Rivers

Opening Prayer: Bob Bull

Moment of Silence for POW/MIA’S, their families and those who are serving in hazardous places around the world.

Roll Call: A quorum was established. Welcome Home Everyone!

New Members: Hernando Tena served in the Air Force at Selfridge Air Base during the Vietnam War. He then became a psychotherapist and is now semi-retired.

Guests: None.

Remembering Wes Prater – Rivers/Milton Davis: When the City of Ann Arbor refused to allow us to build a monument to fallen Vietnam Veterans in Veterans Park, Wes Prater, then Ypsilanti Township Supervisor, invited us to come to Ypsilanti Township to see if we could find a suitable place. When we arrived, Wes had a map of all the Township’s property and asked us where we would put it if we could put it anywhere we wanted. We walked the grounds, picked a place and Wes made it happen. Since then, his passion for supporting veterans has been passed on to the elected officials and employees alike so that we are still getting great support from the township. We will remember Wes as a former firefighter, former township trustee then supervisor and former Washtenaw County Commissioner as well as a great human being.

Motion: by Harrison/Cothorn to approve the March Minutes published in the Dispatch. Approved.

Adjourn to Nominations:

Nominations were conducted by Marv Rivers. No new people were nominated. There we no contested positions.

Motion by Frye, seconded by Harrison to direct the secretary to enter a unanimous vote for the slate. Approved. The following elected officials were sworn in by National Board Member At Large, Sandie Wilson:

President: Vance McCrumb

Vice President: Stan Harrison

Treasurer: Berry Bourne

Secretary: Jon Luker

Sergeant at Arms: Eric Downie 

One-year board members Bob Bull, Bob Kwiecinski and Tim Driscoll

Two-year board members Dale Throneberry, Marv Rivers and Budd Frye

Recall to Order

Officer Reports:

President’s Report: 

Please see the President’s remarks online at https://vva310.org. Vance is not present tonight because he is in Montana with his kids, grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Finance Report: Bourne. Reports were emailed to the board. Reports are also available to members via email upon request.

Nonrestricted Fund Revenue: 

a.     $549 general fund donation $500 of which was for the Memorial Grounds Improvement Project.

b.     $456 merchandise sales and donations less $154 cost of goods sold. 

Nonrestricted Fund Expenses:

a. $1,800 VFW Post 423 annual donation plus WiFi access

b. $1,266 - $1,000 Prepayment to Caterer for Annual Recognition Dinner plus $266 expenses

c. $188 Post Office box rental. This cost is going up much faster than the consumer price index.

Restricted Fund Revenue: 

1. $5,657 donations to Vietnam Memorial Long-term Landscaping 

Plan with total donations to date of $25,617

b.     $330 donations to Vietnam Memorial Maintenance Fund

Restricted Fund Expenses: Nothing of significance.

Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Fund Balance:

1.     $25,617 balance in Vietnam Memorial Long-term Landscaping Restricted Account represents donations only

2.     $26,877 balance in Construction-in-Process represents total funds expended on project to date

AVVA Report: The AVVA report is no longer being printed in the Dispatch but is being emailed separately to those who request it. The AVVA report is also online at https://vva310.org/newsletter.

Committee Reports:

Merchandise: Harrison – We had poor sales at the VA because VA employees were concerned about whether they were going to lose their jobs. Of the slightly more than $400 we collected, $200 was a donation. We will be back at the VA again a week from Tuesday. As always, we’d appreciate help opening and closing. Of course, help during our sales time is also appreciated.

Washtenaw County Council of Veterans: Bull - Our next meeting is a week from Monday. We are still looking for veteran-related organizations to join the council. The organization doesn’t need to be chartered, nor does it need to be restricted to veterans. Any organization with some veteran members should be encouraged to join the council and make their voice heard.

Michigan State Council: No report. No meeting this month.

Memorial Maintenance: Merritt - Schedules are out for cutting crews. We have one opening because Ed Scruggs will not be able to do it this year. Please see me if you are interested. All the scrub brush and dead trees have been removed, the wood split and chipped and the chips distributed behind the berm as planned. The Memorial lights are now being powered from our new barn. Unfortunately, the wires that control our irrigation system were cut in the process. Oasis Irrigation is planning to make that repair, turn the irrigation system on and assess damage to it caused by our construction traffic (so far) as soon as the threat of freezing weather is behind us. Leppek Landscaping is expected to start work in the middle of this month, weather permitting. We expect that our 10-year project will be about 1/3 completed by Memorial Day.

Website: We have had over 467,299 hits since the website was last rebuilt. That means we’ve had 648 hits since our March report.

Membership: We have about 219 members.

Newsletter: No report.

 

13 March 2025

Call to Order by President McCrumb at 1856 hrs.

Flag Salute

Opening Prayer: Budd Frye

Moment of Silence for POW/MIA’S, their families and those who are serving in hazardous places around the world.

Roll Call: A quorum was established. Welcome Home Everyone!

New Members: Dennis Webb, US Army Artillery from ’68 to ’70. He served a year in Vietnam and a year at home.

Guests: Katherine King, Outreach Program Specialist for the Charles S Kettles VA and Gary Estermyer, VVA Michigan State Council Secretary.

Report by Katherine King:

National Vietnam Veterans Day is 29 March – a Saturday. We will celebrate it at the VA on Friday, 28 March. We’ll do a breakfast from 0800 to 0900. The celebration will run from 1000 to 1400 at Charles S. Kettles VA. We will have resource tables that can help veterans with common issues. We’ll also have people who can help with the new MyHealtheVet signup process and with getting your new ID card. We’ll have a smaller celebration at the Toledo CBOC.

If you have questions for me, I can be reached at (734) 575-9082 during normal business hours or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Motion: by Harrison/Feight to Approve the February Minutes published in the Dispatch. Approved.

Adjourn to Nominations: (conducted by Marv Rivers)

President: Vance McCrumb accepted

Vice President: Marv Rivers declined, Stan Harrison accepted

Treasurer: Berry Bourne accepted

Secretary: Jon Luker accepted

Sergeant at Arms: Eric Downie accepted

Two-year board members moving to 1-year positions are:

Bob Bull, Bob Kwiecinski and Tim Driscoll

Two-year board nominees (Need at least three)

Accepting: Throneberry, Rivers, Frye

Declining: Cothorn, Kinzinger, Merritt, South, Bayha, Scruggs, Clarke, Klintworth, Coleman 

State Council Delegates: (We are authorized up to 5)

Luker, Driscoll, Wilson, McCrumb

National Delegates:

Accepting: McManus, Luker, Wilson, Cothorn

Declining: Graef

Recall to Order

 Officer Reports:

National President’s Report:

VVA National President and Chapter 310 Charter member gave us his personal views on how things are going for VVA National and for our chapter. He was pleased about our decision to change our name to honor Chuck Kettles, our effort to get the Ann Arbor VA’s name changed as well and about our efforts to make long term improvements to the Washtenaw County Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Jack also pointed out the importance of getting our chapter’s representation at the VVA National convention in New Orleans. This is a most important time for VVA to be at the table and helping Congress and the President to make wise decisions.

President’s Report: 

Please see the President’s remarks online at https://vva310.org.

Finance Report: Bourne. Reports were emailed to the board. Reports are also available to members via email upon request.

Nonrestricted Fund Revenue: $882 merchandise sales and donations at Ann Arbor VA with $388 cost of goods sold, 56% gross margin, before a 20% fee to the VA.

Nonrestricted Fund Expenses: $550 donation to Vietnam Memorial Maintenance Restricted Fund.

Restricted Fund Revenue: $9,635 donated for Vietnam Memorial Long-term Landscaping Project which represents $19,960 to date.

Restricted Fund Expenses: Nothing of significance.

AVVA Report: The AVVA report is no longer being printed in the Dispatch but is being emailed separately to those who request it. The AVVA report is also online at https://vva310.org/newsletter.

Committee Reports:

Merchandise: Harrison – We had $882 of merchandise sales at the VA. We can’t sell much while confined to a small space in the cafeteria. We will be there again on 18 March. We will be doing an inventory here on 23 March at 1300. We could use a few volunteers to help with that.

Washtenaw County Council of Veterans: At the 17 February meeting, we discussed the possibility of starting the annual appreciation dinner back up.

Michigan State Council: Estermyer reported that 15 chapters attended the State Council meeting held in Howell on 8 March. That’s the highest turnout in recent years. Long time friend and treasurer Floyd Carmichael passed away suddenly. Allen Tardo from Oakland County was elected to fill out the balance of his term.

Point of Order: It is now 2030. No official business can be conducted beyond this time.

Memorial Maintenance: We have completed removing the trees and other vegetation from behind the berm. We have firewood available. On Friday, we will split wood into small enough pieces to feed into a chipper. On Saturday, we will chip whatever wood you don’t want. We have contracted Leppek Landscaping to do the following work so that it will be complete and looking respectable by Memorial Day: Berm repair, plant first set of trees and plants, install new patio and refurbish the boxwood hedges. Our regular crews are back at work but are limited in what we can do.

Website: McCrumb. We have had over 466,651 hits since the website was last rebuilt.

Membership: McCrumb. We are still officially at 218 members, but we have 2 applications pending.

Newsletter: We are still working to improve our new design. Remember to send your articles to Paulo, not me.

Health Care: Wilson. So far, there is no visible impact of the VA staff layoffs but watch for appointments to take longer to schedule and for them to be substituted with video appointments. Also, you might want to read about the monkey studies. They found that if they fed clay to monkeys and then exposed them to large doses of a wide variety of toxins, the toxins were not found in the blood. Would this help humans also?

LTCCSKMC: We are keeping female items stocked up. We have 4 steak meal upgrades planned for this year. The VA is asking for volunteers to return to work. The next VVA event at the VA will be the Halloween party. It looks like we will be able to make another gift to Fisher House this year.

Good of the Order:

McCrumb – We will hold a recognition dinner committee meeting here at 1000 on 20 March.

McCrumb – Several of us showed up for Doctor Allen’s service. She was a member for a while, but her health apparently got in the way of keeping her membership current.

Bayha – Elmer White’s sister is bringing some of his ashes back to Michigan to be interned at the Holly National Cemetery at 1400 on 24 March. It would be good if we could arrange a group to attend.

Dempsey – 7 years ago, Governor Snyder changed the way trust fund directors are selected. Before that, the directors represented many different veterans organizations including VVA. After that, the field has narrowed so much that only members of the Legion, the VFW and DAV are eligible and selected. The main problem with that is that those directors are loyal to their organizations, not to veterans overall. You can see the change by looking at the decisions that have been made over the years. I think it is time for VVA to get active at the state level to get back on the trust fund board. The governor’s appointment committee needs to understand and do the right thing.

Merritt: We are changing our breakfast routine this month so we can go to Jack McManus’ favorite breakfast joint. Breakfast on Friday will be at 0900 at the Harvest Moon Café, 5484 W. Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI (734) 434-8100.

Closing Prayer Budd Frye

Flag Salute

Meeting Adjourned at 2030

 

13 February 2025

Call to Order by President McCrumb at 1900 hrs.

Pledge of Allegiance

Opening Prayer: Bob Bull

Moment of Silence for POW/MIA’S, their families and those who are serving in hazardous places around the world.

Roll Call: A quorum was established. Welcome Home Everyone!

New Members: None

Guests: Leroy Page, VVA Chapter 528 member and former VVA Chapter 310 President

Motion: by Bull/Bayha to Approve the December and January Minutes published in the Dispatch. Approved.

President’s Report: 

Please see the President’s remarks online at https://vva310.org.

Finance Report: Bourne. 

Nonrestricted Fund Revenue: $449 merchandise sales and donations at Ann Arbor VA with $181 cost of goods sold, 60% gross margin, before a 20% fee to the VA.

Nonrestricted Fund Expenses: Nothing of significance.

Restricted Fund Revenue: 

1. $6,175 donated for Vietnam Memorial L/T Landscaping Project which represents $7,075 to date. 

2. $650 donated for Ann Arbor VA Patients Christmas Program which represents $19,041 to date.

Restricted Fund Expenses: Nothing of significance.

 

We have received a new bid for part of the work for the Memorial Landscape plan. The $60,355 bid was about $27,000 less than the first bid. The Memorial Maintenance Committee is working to lower the cost even further.

 

AVVA Report: The AVVA report is no longer being printed in the Dispatch but is being emailed separately to those who request it. The AVVA report is also online at https://vva310.org/newsletter.

Committee Reports:

Merchandise: Harrison – We had $449 of merchandise sales at the VA. We will be there again on 18 February. Any help you provide will be appreciated. Also, I have chapter challenge coins here for those who want to purchase them.

Washtenaw County Council of Veterans: The next meeting will be on 17 February.

Michigan State Council: The Council will meet in Howell on 8 March. A new State Treasurer will be elected.

Memorial Maintenance: We will begin the next several phases as soon as we can in spring. We will clear more of the property behind us, redo the berm plantings, install a French drain behind the berm, install the new brick patio, put in the first set of new trees, do all the work planned for the boxwood hedges and get the site ready for Memorial Day activities and Fire Watch. Additional bids are being solicited for the remaining phases.

Website: McCrumb. We have had over 460,680 hits since the website was last rebuilt. We’ve modified the front page to make it easier to navigate.

Membership: McCrumb. We are officially at 218 members.

Newsletter: We have a new newsletter format designed by McCrumb and approved by Pereira. Articles should still be submitted to Pereira who will select what will go into the newsletter and edit the content with help from Bourne. McCrumb will then produce the electronic file which will be dealt with as usual.

Health Care: Wilson. So far, there is no visible impact of the VA staff layoffs.

LTCCSKMC: No report.

Old Business: None

New Business: 

Motion by Clarke, seconded by Harrison to approve the 2025/2026 annual budget. Approved.

Motion by Clarke, seconded by Feight to contribute $550 to the Washtenaw County Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Approved.

Motion by Luker, seconded by Bayha to pay $579.07 for fundraising costs incurred by the Vietnam Memorial L/T Landscaping Plan Fundraising Committee. Approved.

Good of the Order:

Page – VVA Chapter 528, Plymouth-Canton, is sponsoring a 50^th Vietnam War Commemoration event at Belleville High School on Friday, March 21^st at 1700 hrs. All are invited to attend.

Bull – The 988-call sign project is going well. The State Police will have all their vehicles marked this year. MDOT is considering placing the 988 call sign on all of the doors of its 61 rest stops. The American Legion has approved the resolution we’ve been circulating. I was able to present the issue to Michigan’s Council of Veterans Organizations. Please remember that I’m the chapter Veterans Service Officer. If you know of any Washtenaw County veteran, family member or provider that needs help for a veteran, let me know. We are blessed with many resources in this county. Help is available. 

Throneberry – We try to stay away from politics on the broadcast, but we have a representative of the Non-Commissioned Officers Association of the United States will speak on how events in Washington are impacting services at the VA. Next week, Team Red White and Blue will explain a project called “Glory Relay” in which they will have a relay race that will carry the US flag from coast to coast. You may listen live on WAAM radio on Sundays at 1700 hours or go to veteransradio.org to listen to the podcasts.

Wilson – 24 April marks the end of the 50^th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration. There will be a closing ceremony in Washington DC.

McCrumb: Our annual recognition dinner will be on 12 April. The doors will open at 1700.

McCrumb: Breakfast on Friday will be at 0900 at the Bomber Restaurant, 306 E Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48198, (734) 482-0550.

Closing Prayer Bob Bull

Flag Salute

Meeting Adjourned at 1937 hrs

 

9 January 2025

Call to Order by President McCrumb at 1900 hrs.

Pledge of Allegiance

Opening Prayer: Tim Driscoll

Moment of Silence for POW/MIA’S, their families and those who are serving in hazardous places around the world.

Roll Call: A quorum was established.  Welcome Home Everyone!

New Members: None

Guests: None

President’s Report: 

Please see the President’s remarks online at https://vva310.org. 

Finance Report:  Bourne. 

Nonrestricted Fund Revenue: $4,150 donations for Memorial L/T Landscaping Plan and $855 from merchandise sales at the VA.

Nonrestricted Fund Expenses:  $3,250 of the above donation came from the Chapter.  We also paid our annual $450 website hosting fee.

Restricted Fund Revenue: 

• We received $6,130 more for the Ann Arbor VA Christmas Program bringing the total to over $18,760. 
• $1,000 donated for Support the Troops packing party

Restricted Fund Expenses: 

• $4,013 was paid to Linda Colby for the embroidered clothes given to VA patients for Christmas.
• $1,000 was spent for non-perishable food which was sent via truck to help North Carolina people recover from storm damage.
• $751 was used to pay for 3^rd steak dinner upgrade for VA patients. 

We’ll be emailing an updated version of the proposed 25/26 annual budget.  We will discuss, revise (if needed) and vote on the budget at the February meeting.

Thanks to a donation of labor from Certainty Construction and Son LLC, we finished Phase One of the Memorial Landscape plan $5,800 under budget.

AVVA Report: The AVVA report is no longer being printed in the Dispatch but is being emailed separately to those who request it.  The AVVA report is also online at https://vva310.org/newsletter.

Committee Reports:

Merchandise: Harrison – We had $855 of merchandise sales at the VA.  We will be there again on 21 January.  Any help you provide will be appreciated.

Washtenaw County Council of Veterans:  The Next meeting will be in February.

Michigan State Council: Driscoll reported that longtime State Treasurer Floyd Carmichael passed away.  Gary Estermyer will take on his duties until a new treasurer is elected.

Memorial Maintenance: Phase One has been completed.  The grounds look rough now, due to the ongoing work, but will be cleaned up in time for Memorial Day activities and Fire Watch.  Additional bids are being solicited for remaining phases.  A fundraising committee has been formed to raise funds for the project.

Website: McCrumb. We have had over 456,671 hits since the website was last rebuilt.  We’ve modified the front page to make it easier to navigate.

Membership: McCrumb. We are officially at 219 members.

Newsletter:  No report.  As you know, it is not out yet.

Health Care: No report.

LTCCSKMC: No report.

Old Business: None

New Business: MOTION by Luker, seconded by Harrison to transfer $50,000 from the LPL Financial investment account to Memorial Landscaping Project Restricted Fund.  This motion was approved at the board meeting.  Approved.

Good of the Order:

Feight – Thank you all for coming out to my talk. 

Driscoll – Fisher house is now seeking donations of gift cards from local area restaurants.  When people who are just arriving at Fisher House need food, Fisher House wants them to just be able to go to a restaurant and eat rather than having to try to make a meal from the food stores on hand. 

McCrumb – Milt Davis was the one who went shopping for the food for the North Carolina relief effort and found the transportation for the food.

McCrumb:  Breakfast on Friday will be at 0900 at Holiday’s Restaurant, 2080 W Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, (734) 668-1292.

Closing Prayer Tim Driscoll

Flag Salute

Meeting Adjourned at 1934.