COMMANDERS CORNER
ADJUTANT’S CORNER
Message from Adjutant Tony:
DAV Comrades
We hope you all had a safe and happy holiday season. The Color Guard represented our Chapter at one funeral on December 20th at the State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls. I am sorry to report that Jim Kostek turned in his resignation as Sergeant-at-Arms and Color Guard Commander effective January 1st 2009 due to health reasons. I would like to thank Jim for all his work in helping to form our Color/Honor Guard. We hope to see you at our meetings soon. Don’t forget Veterans helping Veterans is our Goal.
January DAV Meeting
Meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. Opening ceremony and prayer was observed. Roll call of chapter officers was taken Jr. Vice and Treasurer were absent. Adjutant Tony read the minutes of the December meeting. Minutes were approved. 10 members were present on a very cold January evening. No Treasurer Report was given.
VISITORS:
Former State Senator Don Samuelson was introduced and gave a presentation on the proposal being made to utilize three buildings at the former Brainerd Regional Human Services Center
for Veterans Health care needs. A committee has been formed to present the proposal to State and Federal authorities to convert three buildings into a 96 bed State Veterans Nursing Home, Chemical Dependency Facility, Traumatic Brain Injury, Mental Health, Shelter for Homeless Veterans and other Veterans Programs as needed. The current facilities that are available would need some renovation however the cost of such renovation would be considerably less that the cost of tearing down the existing structures. The Veterans Health Care Center if approved would serve a rapidly increasing need for veterans in the surrounding 6-7 county areas. An economic stimulus package would also result by providing employment for both the construction/renovation and permanent jobs at the completed Veterans Health Care Center.
On Saturday January 31st at 1 p.m. Congressman Jim Oberstar will be at the former Brainerd Regional Human Services Center located east of Brainerd on Hwy 18, to tour the facilities, and listen to the proposal being made by the committee. The meeting will take place at Building #2, which is directly north of Building #1, the Main Administration Building. Veterans and Veterans Service organizations are encouraged to attend this meeting to show solidarity in backing this project.
A resolution was read and motions made and carried by chapter 22 members to forward a resolution backing this project. Following is the resolution.
DAV CROW WING COUNTY CHAPTER 22
Resolution
Whereas, Minnesota Veterans all through central Minnesota are in need of many health care programs, and
Whereas, the United States Congress has indicated its support of Veterans and their health care needs.
Now therefore bi it resolved that the DAV CROW WING COUNTY CHAPTER 22 go on record in support of efforts for the use of the Brainerd Regional Treatment Center for, health care programs including a veterans nursing home, chemical dependency, traumatic brain injury, mental health and other programs as needed.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be sent to our Congressional Delegation and to the State Legislature.
Adopted this day January 15, 2009
DAV Crow Wing County Chapter 22 Commander
Tim Brastrup
SICKNESS AND DISTRESS:
Jack Owen will be having hip replacement the last week of January.
Deceased Chapter 22 members: Leonard J. Bagne, Gene H. Lilledahl, Harold R. Smith
NEW MEMBERS:
No new members or applications for membership.
COMMUNICATIONS TO THE CHAPTER: Notified that a check for $250 was received from the DAV foundation for color guard uniforms. Questions arose if this was for uniform pants and shirts or did it include the all weather jackets. Commander Tim will contact the foundation for clarification.
CHAPTER DONATIONS: No Donations requested or approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Fund Raising: No Report
Ceremonies: The Color Guard Bugle has arrived and was shown at the meeting.
Due to illness our Color Guard Commander Jim Kostek resigned his duties as Commander. Thanks for your dedication and commitment to establishing the Color Guard Jim.
Jim Lucus was appointed as the new Color Guard Commander; Jim has served as a Color Guard Commander for other VSO’s and a seamless transition is anticipated. Thank you for accepting the appointment Jim. Jim has also consented to serve as acting Sgt-at-Arms.
Discussion on cost of Color Guard Name Tags was held and Jim Lucus is going to check and see what the cost would be to purchase them from the UASF reserve base in Mpls.
Recruitment: Remember, the chapter will pay $100 towards a Life Membership.
Accommodations: (chapter gatherings) No Report
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
Candidates for chapter officer nominations are:
Mark Strobel for Chapter Commander,
Brian Ray for Treasurer,
Kevin Stealey for Sergeant-at-Arms,
Tony Wasserbauer for Adjutant.
Please consider taking an officer position, as the current officers would like to turn over the duties to other members.
Nominations will take place at the February 19 meeting.
CLOSING CEREMONY: Our memorial service was observed and the Chaplin gave the closing prayer. Motion to adjourn was made and seconded.
___________________________________________________________
National WebPages for Chapter 22 http://www.davmembersportal.org/chapters/mn/22/default.aspx
State WebPages for Chapter 22 http://www.davmn.org/html/chapter_22.html
CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR 2009
January
On Saturday January 31st at 1 p.m. Congressman Jim Oberstar will be at the former Brainerd Regional Human Services Center to the tour the facilities, and listen to the proposal being made by the committee. The meeting will take place at Building #2, which is directly North of Building #1, the Main Administration Building. Veterans and Veterans Service organizations are encouraged to attend.
FEBRUARY
Event: Location: Date:
Chapter 22 DAV/DAVA meeting 7 pm at VFW Club Brainerd MN February 19, 2009
Nomination of chapter officers
MARCH
Event: Location: Date:
Chapter 22 DAV/DAVA meeting 7 pm at VFW Club Brainerd MN March 19, 2009
Election of chapter officers
APRIL
Event: Location: Date:
Chapter 22 DAV/DAVA meeting 7 pm at VFW Club Brainerd MN April 16, 2009
Installation of chapter officers.
State DAV Convention April 30-May 2 at Holiday Inn Duluth
MAY
Event: Location: Date:
Chapter 22 DAV/DAVA meeting 7 pm at VFW Club Brainerd MN May 21, 2009
State DAV Convention April 30-May 2 at Holiday Inn Duluth
Memorial Day Color Guard participation in Brainerd events. May 30
JUNE
Event: Location: Date:
Chapter 22 DAV/DAVA meeting 7 pm at VFW Club Brainerd MN June 18, 2009
Welcome Home Viet Nam Veterans Day, Saturday June 13, MN State Capitol Grounds
JULY
Event: Location: Date:
Chapter 22 DAV/DAVA meeting 7 pm at VFW Club Brainerd MN July 16, 2009
July 4 Parade Brainerd