Chapter Meeting Notes - 16 February 2013

Picture at left:  SFA Chapter VXXX (80) presenting plaque to Chapter IX for support in 2012 Bataan Death March. 

SOG EXPO 2013: Scheduled for 1 May ( 0800-1700) & 2 May (0800-1700).  Day 1 (May 1st) is at the Centennial Club; Day 2 (May 2nd) is at Range 11 McGregor Base Camp.  The Chapter needs 10 volunteers, all day for the first event day, May 1st, which are the displays, as well as set up support for 30 April beginning at 1200 hours going through 1600 hours at the Centennial CLub on Biggs Army Airfield (East Fort Bliss).  There will also be a Golf Tournament at Butterfield Trails on 30 April at 0800 for the Expo vendors and Law Enforcement and Military representatives.

8th Annual CSM(R) John McLaughlin Memorial Golf Tournament. Chairman Greg Brown. Tournament will be on 7 September at the FT Bliss Underwood course. We will need the same sort of golf bag give away items as in the past for 100 participants, and raffle prizes. Prizes for winners will be the same as in the past. Greg handed out fliers.

Relaxation (R&R) Center Fort Bliss: AD Soldiers started a new class and still meet on Monday’s from 1100 hrs to 1600 hrs in Bldg. 48 at FT Bliss. Chapter donates $200 each month for arts & crafts.

Billy Waugh’s book “Isaac Camacho, an American Hero” is still available. Website http://www.isaaccamachoamericanhero.com

Chapter IX Shirts, Coins, Mugs & Blazers: Shirts, mugs and coins are available. Coins are $10 each. We ordered 100 more. Anyone needing a blazer needs to talk to Pete. We are also selling golf balls for $2.00 each, hats for $10.00, cups for $7.00 and green Chapter 9 shirts for $35.00. We keep them in Moose’s VFW office.

Isaac Camacho Head Start School: 125 students in the school. Any school supplies that you wish to donate please bring them to the meetings. Chapter is donating up to $100 per month as needs arise.

Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA) Chapter will be presenting VFW Post 812 a Korean War Memorial Stamp at Post 812 at 1400.

SFA National 2013 in San Antonio: In June our close friends in SFA 15 are hosting the convention and we need to support them. The HQ hotel is sold out but they secured an additional 100 rooms at the El Tropicano Hotel (877-214-9768). It is located a few blocks away from the Hyatt Regency but is still on the Riverwalk. It is a great deal at the $106.00 rate plus free full breakfast, free parking, and free wi-fi. A city bus shuttle that will take you to the main hotel is available in front of the Tropicano every 15 minutes, plus a river taxi is also available. Some are staying at rooms at the O’Brien Historic Riverwalk Hotel, thru Choice Hotels (800-521-2121) and if the 100 additional rooms fill up this may be the only reasonably priced option. Their rooms are available at $85 a night with $15 parking fee for the week. It is within walking or boating distance.

Jerry Rainey Scholarship: Chairman Greg Brown. We are going to advertise 2 x $500 scholarships and actually present 2 x $1,000.

SFA 9 Sign: No decision yet about the sign on the road (corner of McKelligon Canyon and Davis Seamon roads).

SF Room at VFW: Negotiations have begun – no decision yet.

Soldier Mentors Program: Tom discussed the mentor program with the El Paso Courts system for Soldiers who have no violent offenses for 8-12 months.

Veterans Summit: Al reported that 38 organizations are now involved. They are building a co-op. Fort Bliss is very involved.

New business: National Cemetery Flags: Roy requested we join with the other veteran groups to buy more flags. Motion for $300 for UAVO, passed.

Bataan Death March Water Point: SFA 80 requested we support them again this year. 17 March 0730-1300, water point # 7. Party will follow at Mike’s house. They also spoke about the 2nd ENG BN in White Sands. They have a long, rich history and they still hope to get a monument built for them.

Drone Operator Medal: Discussion about this ridiculous award they are creating was all negative.

Hector Lopez running for Mayor: Ike announced that his nephew is running for Mayor.

Wounded Warrior Raffle: Pete is selling tickets for SFCA 46. Raffle in 2013.

Chapter member Sam Morgan is running for NE City Representative: Anybody who wants to donate or help with his campaign, we can get a lot of mileage if one of our own gets elected. Early voting is 29 April-7 May, election is 11 May.

Message from the President.....Pete, not Barry.

We are on track for the upcoming events but let me put them in order; KWVA presentation of a Korean War Memorial Stamp 9 March 1400; Support for the Bataan march, 17 Mar 0730-1300; 29 Apr – 7 May early voting for El Paso city seats; 30 Apr & 1 May Expo support; National Convention June; Scholarship presenting in August; and the Wounded Warriors cruse in November.

One last thing for all chapter members but mainly for those living in the Northeast of El Paso. As a person who has lived in the NE of El Paso for 17 years I have seen the NE get less and less visibility for growth and benefits as the rest of El Paso grows dramatically. With our brother Sam Morgan running for the NE District 4 I believe we can see a change for the NE. I would encourage everyone to visit his web page sam@sammorgan.org and see what he’s all about.