Email Gary
President John Riling brought the meeting to order on Sunday, April 2, right at 10:00 AM. The meeting at the Howell American Legion post was well attended with all the officers present and 17 chapters represented.
1st Vice President Ken Rogge reported that he is aware of 8 transfers from the at-large membership to chapters. Ken also spoke about the Vietnam Veteran Day ceremonies he and Floyd recently attended in Kalamazoo.
2nd Vice President Tom Meinhardt reported that he has been cleared to visit the veterans in the Coldwater prison facility. He also has visited the VVA members at the Cotton facility.
Secretary Gary Estermyer spoke about updating the chapter contact list as he receives the election report from all the chapters that have elections later this month. Gary asked the delegates to try to ensure accuracy when the forms are filled out.
Treasurer Floyd Carmichael reviewed the finance report. He also noted the generosity shown by Rick Fraser of OthersFirst (car program). The MSC is very grateful for the donations from them. Floyd has finished sorting and re-organizing all the bank statements and records he inherited. He has also created a spreadsheet with our itemized financial data that will be useful for our CPA, Bruce Himrod.
John announced that Floyd, Phil and Gary would be attending the April National VVA BOD meeting in Silver Spring with him. John said that at this time all the National officers are running for re-election and only a few director candidates have announced. John spoke about the delegate release form to be used by chapters that will not be sending their full complement of convention delegates. Chapter 154 promptly signed off on 10 delegates. John encouraged all delegates who are going to New Orleans to also attend the Region 5 meeting the first weekend of May.
John suggested we offer Rick Fraser special recognition for his organizations donations to the council. John also stressed the importance of the VVA commendation and achievement awards. John also plans to create a new service dog committee with Phil Savage (Chapter 313) as the chairman. John plans to take the product sales team on the road to the Region 3 and Region 5 pre-convention meetings. He also is looking ahead to a Vetstock event in Fowlerville, LZ Michigan in Grand Rapids and Kokomo. John also wants to proceed with offering special convention polo shirts for all Michigan delegates. Shirt sizes are needed gentlemen, see Gary or John with this information.
It was announced that Selfridge ANG base will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in early May. Chris Franklin (Chapter 154) was to receive the Native American Veteran of the Year award. Former MSC Service Office Director George Claxton is now in a long term care facility. A member of Muskegon Chapter 31 recently returned from a Vietnam trip.
Jack Devine has been following veteran related legislation in Lansing. This includes the six veteran homes that will be built across Michigan.
Ray Essenmacher (Chapter 494) reported that the St. Louis and Saginaw correctional facilities are now conducting service dog training. Tim Driscoll reported that Ann Arbor VA hospital has almost completed its parking lot construction.
Tim also announced that his chapter (310) has been renamed the Charles S. Kettles Chapter. Phil Smith, Chief Service Office Director reported that he lost another employee to another VSO that offered better benefits. He has conducted interviews for another service officer and office secretary. He reviewed the rest of his report and spoke about The Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Act which authorized claims to be filed, further information can be found at www.va.gov/CampLejeune. Phil has only received 1 application for Veteran of the Year which will be recognized at Veterans Night at Comerica Park event, June 15, $38.00 includes a ticket, hotdog and drink.
AVVA President Marilyn Lash reported they were discussing the development of a tri-fold handout that would contain internet links helpful to the veteran community. They are also considering holding regional AVVA meetings.
Future MSC meeting dates are; June 11 (Howell), August 20 (Howell), October "retreat" plans (TBD) and our Christmas luncheon/meeting on December 3 in Howell.
Washtenaw County chapter 310 hosted the Feb. 12, 2017 meeting at the Ann Arbor VFW hall. All the officers were present and 13 chapters were represented. President John Riling welcomed everyone and started the meeting at 10:08 AM.
1st Vice President Ken Rogge reported that he has only gotten 6 chapter responses regarding the at-large membership drive. He recently attended a VISN 10 meeting and many issues were discussed; personnel speaking rudely, English language problems and grading of lower level staff. The Ann Arbor VA hospital is working to address these issues and more to benefit all their veteran patients. Ken also reported on the Detroit VA hospital SAIL meeting he and I attended. Seven different VSO’s attended and we were briefed by the hospital leadership on how they were working to improve their low level scores.
2nd Vice President Tom Meinhardt recently returned from New Orleans and gave his report about what we could expect. He will provide a more detailed written report on restaurants and things to do while in the area. Tom also spoke briefly about the at-large incarcerated members. I reviewed the travel policy and after discussion the policy was approved with minor changes.
Treasurer Floyd Carmichael is working on our IRS 990 form. Floyd reviewed the finance report and reported our bills are paid and we're still in the black. Floyd has also been doing the initial homework on establishing a 501c3 for the state council. A name and incorporation forms need to be completed.
President John Riling then spoke about the telephone town hall he participated in with the Detroit VA hospital. It was reported that Ann Arbor and Saginaw VA hospitals have also conducted similar town halls. John reported that MSC had recently received another nice donation from an organization named OthersFirst. Fisher House Foundation is planning to build an Ann Arbor home to provide free lodging for families of patients receiving care at the VA. John then talked about the VVA web roster. By now all chapters should have completed and sent in the form National requested. There are now 80,000+ VVA members of which over 62,000 are life members.
Ray Essenmacher of Bay City Chapter 494 spoke about supporting Michigan SB 70. This bill seeks to extend the Vietnam Era Bonus Act 370 of 1974 from 01-01-61 / 09-01-73 to 01-01-61 / 05-07-75. The delegates voted unanimously to support SB 70.
John spoke about the proposed constitution amendment dealing with state council restrictions on fundraising. After discussion the delegates voted to support his amendment. Colt Romberger is the son of Cliff Romberger who died of agent orange exposure illness. Colt plans to ride his horse Teddy on a 3,000 mile journey from Santa Monica to Washington DC, leaving May 1, 2017. The purpose is to raise awareness for veterans suffering from the effects of Agent Orange exposure. For details check out his website; www.expeditionorange.org. John also reported that LZ MICHIGAN, a welcome home event, will take place on Sep. 23, 2017 at Fifth Third Ballpark in Grand Rapids. More details can be found at; www.wgvu.org/lz-michigan.
Jack Devine spoke about a package of veteran related bills introduced in the Michigan House and Senate. SB-45 & HBs 4104, 4139, 4165 all deal with property tax exemptions for disabled vets. Jack also reported on the Veterans Authority that was passed regarding the new veterans homes that are to be built to replace the Grand Rapids Veterans Home. It was mentioned that a closed hospital in Trenton could be considered as a renovation project for veterans.
Ray Essenmacher reported that the concept of an all veteran state prison in Saginaw is being floated.
Tom Meinhardt is waiting for clearance to visit the Coldwater facility and he did visit the veterans in Jackson Prison. The Adrian facility has requested a chapter start up kit.
Floyd Carmichael reported that Ft. Custer cemetery uses 5 different units for their color guard duties. There are between 1,300 - 1,500 burials per year. In 2016 the Washtenaw Cty. Color Guard assisted in 170 funeral details. It was also reported that there were 208 burials in January at Great Lakes National Cemetery, 32,143 year to date. The MSC was informed we would not sponsor the upcoming Memorial Day ceremony at GLNC but would host the Veterans Day ceremony.
Phil then reviewed his Service Office 5 page report. January recoveries were $1,507,151.00. Phil will be interviewing and hopefully hiring new PT service officers.
The veteran’s treatment court now has 31 vets in the program and 12 are due to graduate.
You may have heard/read about PTS vs. PTSD? PTS concludes no brain damage thus no benefits. PTSD does assume brain damage and benefits are available.
June 15 is Veteran’s Day at Comerica Park.
June 22 - 25 is “Veterans R&R” in Pellston, MI, check out Brave Hearts Estate for details.
Next MSC meeting is April 2, 2017.
Tweet
