President Ken Diegel started the May 2nd meeting right at 10:00 AM with the pledge and a welcome prayer. He welcomed Rick, new President and delegate from Oakland County Chapter 133. Secretary Ray Essenmacher called roll and found that 18 delegates were present and the Treasurer, Don Godek was absent. Ray urged all the delegates to get their chapter election and financial reports submitted to him and VVA National by July 15th.

Jack Devine, VVA National Vice President and MSC legislative affairs chair then gave his report. He has met with the Michigan House committee and Senate sub-committee dealing with VSO funding. As you may know, the VVA State of Michigan Council service program has been shut out of future funding beginning September 1st. Jack is attempting to alter the FY 11 funding picture and is seeking alternate grants to keep our service program functioning and our employees paid. Sandie Wilson gave a short SB 250 history lesson. Some hard ball politicking has been going on in the back room and VVA was not invited.

I then gave the Constitution by-law and election reports. I had received and reported out four proposed amendments. Two proposals seek to reduce the number of MSC vice presidents; one from 3 to 2 and the other from 3 to 1. The third proposal is a language change relating to frequency of nominations. The fourth proposal is also a language change relating to the bylaw amendment process. The last two proposals are due to the MSC no longer meeting 3 months in a row. Lupe Alvair from Muskegon Chapter 18 made a verbal proposal to allow amendments at any meeting (with prior notice given) with 2/3 affirmative votes needed to pass.

I then 'drafted' Phil Smith to assist me with the final nominations of MSC officers and election chairperson. After the call for nominations ended the ballot will show; Ken Diegel President, Bob Erickson and John Riling 1st Vice President, Calvin "P'Nut" Hicks 2nd 3rd Vice President, Ray "Doc" Essenmacher Secretary, Don Godek Treasurer and Gary Estermyer Election Chair. Elections are scheduled for June 13, 2010, immediately after the amendment voting.

Penny Meinhardt, Mich. AVVA President, then gave her report which is contained in Norma's report. 3rd Vice President P'Nut Hicks then gave the membership report. Michigan currently has 3,831 members and 415 AVVA members. DD 214's should be reviewed carefully for membership eligibility.

President Ken spoke briefly about the Great Lakes National Cemetery; they will host a Memorial Day ceremony on the 31st. Ken and Phil Smith also spoke about the Dearborn Memorial Day parade. This year's theme is "Missing in America", which relates to unclaimed veteran remains.

Bob Erickson, 1st Vice President reported there are currently 1,720 POW/MIA from RVN.

Jack Devine then spoke about his recent trip to Vietnam. He visited a crash site, a burial site and numerous cities throughout the country. They continue to exchange POW/MIA information to benefit both sides.

2nd Vice President and Product Sales chair, John Riling reported that his inventory is done and he is gearing up for the convention and other summer events.

Sandie Wilson reported that the Trust Fund investments are improving. Sandie also spoke about the Agent Orange issue. We need to contact our elected officials to sound the alarm about our disabled children and grandchildren whose illnesses may be related to our Vietnam Agent Orange exposure. Remember, if you were there you were exposed.

Doc Essenmacher then gave his PTSD/TBI report. PTSD affects 7.7 million adults and treatment is available via psychotherapy, medication and relaxation techniques. A new rapid withdrawal policy for troops affected by roadside blasts has been implemented. The 24 hour period will be used to evaluate the troops for TBI. Doc's report also contained information on maintaining a healthy heart. Guess what? Diet, exercise and regular doctor visits remain the best advice in curbing heart problems.

Phil Smith, Service Office Director reviewed his handout. Claims and appeals are ever increasing. Recoveries for January to March were $5,102,019.00. Employee Derek Seymore has resigned. He received a better offer from AMVETS. Phil again stressed that all chapters need a service coordinator. Needless to say, due to budget cuts the VVA service program needs donations. Phil also mentioned that Keith Famie of the "Vietnam Generation" project will be at the MSC convention next month.

Jack Devine reported that VVA National President John Rowan has created a panel to discuss the future (short term and long term) of VVA. Contact Jack with your ideas and suggestions.

Ken Diegel reported there has only been mild interest in the Howell property lately. He is hopeful the market will rebound and the property will sell.

Phil reported that all chapters should have received a 'Veteran of the Year' packet. Nominations will now be accepted.

Jackson Chapter 109 recently had a fundraiser pig roast and they are also planning their 2nd Annual Golf Tournament for June 5th at Arbor Hills Golf Club in Jackson. $55.00 per golfer, $220.00 per team. Contact John West for further details at 517.787.5244.

Cheboygan Chapter 274 is involved in hosting the Moving Wall at the Cheboygan County Fairgrounds from May 13 to May 17, 2010. Contact Duke Mayo for further information at 231.625.2202.

Michigan State Council convention will be from June 11- 13 at the Double Tree Hilton, Ford Road & Southfield. Various workshops and seminars will be held on Saturday the 12th and all interested persons are invited to attend all or part of the convention during that weekend. A Motown style buffet is planned for the Saturday evening banquet with a live band providing the tunes. Check out www.everythingveteran.com for details.

All the officers and 18 chapter delegates were present for this last meeting of the year, 12/06/09. President Ken Diegel welcomed everyone and led the delegates in the pledge. Treasurer Tom Meinhardt then offered the opening prayer. Ken also mentioned we would break around 11:30 for our Christmas meal. Tom then reviewed the financial report. There was some discussion on check accountability and Tom agreed to list all checks written in future reports. Sandie Wilson, National VVA Director reported that proof is needed for generational effects of Agent Orange. If any RVN veteran has a story to tell relating to their children or grand-children suffering from the effects of AO they are urged to contact Sandie. AVVA Michigan President Penny Meinhardt reported that the Christmas meal was ready when we were. All the AVVA members helped prepare this holiday meal. Penny and some of her chapter members went to the Grand Rapids Veterans Home to help serve their holiday meal.

I then gave the Constitution and Election Committee reports. Any proposed by-laws shall be presented to me at either the February or April meetings. Anyone seeking nomination for MSC officer positions shall either be present to accept or shall prior to such nomination present written acceptance to me, also during the February or April meetings. 3rd Vice President P'Nut Hicks reported there were now 3,842 individual members in the state. This reflects an increase of over 100 from last year. AVVA membership has also increased.

Gary Stevens then gave the Great Lakes National Cemetery report. There have now been almost 8,000 burials conducted. The administrative building has now been completed. The Veterans Day ceremony was well attended and went well. 1st Vice President Bob Erickson reported there were now 1,727 POW-MIA from RVN. There were 7 remains ID'd from RVN; two remains were recovered from Afghanistan. It remains very important for any MIA family member to provide DNA to DPMO as over 400 remains are at the lab in Hawaii awaiting identification. National VVA Vice President Jack Devine plans on returning to Vietnam in March for another Veterans Initiative trip.

2nd Vice President John Riling reported that sales of his new Amazing Grace t-shirt have been going very well. His EverythingVeteran web site is being updated. Secretary Ray "Doc" Essenmacher reported that several studies continue on the relationship between PTSD and TBI. Active duty military suicides continue to increase. Michigan VVA News chairman Bob Heidenrich again reported that future issues will be via email only. Contact Bob at mivvanews@comcast.net to get your email on the list. The next deadline is Feb. 15, 2010.

Sandie Wilson reported that the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund is alive and well due to the improving stock market and they are only $40,000 over budget. Requests for assistance remain limited to a maximum of $1,000.00. Ken discussed the lack of a VAVS chairman. A volunteer is needed to take over.

Phil Smith, Service Office Director then gave his report. Due to a major funding snafu all service officers have been laid off, however Phil continues to staff the Detroit office and Vic Romback continues to work the UP. Detroit VA Regional Office is backlogged 15,000 claims while nationally the VA is one million behind in processing. FY 2009 recoveries were $21,054,272.00. WELL DONE, Phil and staff!

Budget/finance discussion then began. Proper financial documents were not submitted to VVA National or the State of Michigan in a timely manner. Tom explained he was told a 990 Form would be acceptable, It turns out it wasn't. It was also noted that a MSC audit was not performed. A motion was made to remove Tom Meinhardt as Treasurer, motion passed. Ken Diegel then asked Don Godek from Jackson 109 if he would volunteer to act as Treasurer, Don accepted. Baring any procedural actions there will now be a special election at the February meeting to replace Tom. Sandie Wilson offered a motion that each delegate return to their chapter to ask for a $40.00 donation per member to benefit the Service Program. Motion passed. Also as a cost cutting measure a motion was made to cut out Officer travel pay to meetings. That motion passed also.

Registration for the MSC June Convention can be done thru www.everythingveteran.com.

PDF File of December 6, 2009 Meeting

Sunday, October 18, 2009

It was a clear, crisp and sunny drive to Lansing on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Norma D. and Patti & Dennis B. also made the trip this morning. All the officers were present and 15 chapters were represented. Ken Diegel, President welcomed everyone and we opened the meeting with the pledge and a prayer.

Treasurer Tom Meinhardt reviewed the current financial report. Tom and President Ken Diegel have both been working on problems with National VVA and the Household Goods program. Some much needed funds were finally released to MSC from that program.

Gary Stevens then gave the Great Lakes National Cemetery report. Over 7,300 veterans and/or spouses have now been laid to rest in Holly. This includes the former GLNC Asst. Director, Jim Goldsmith who passed away on Oct. 2, 2009. The GLNC will be holding their annual Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11th at 11:00 AM. A flyover is also expected.

AVVA MI President, Penny Meinhardt reported that the cost of service rep. training will be around $1,700.00 per person, three people have shown interest. Penny and her crew are making plans for our Christmas meal on Dec. 6th. Grand Rapids Veterans Home will be having their Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 21st. Donations to help out with that dinner would be welcome. Penny also reported that the Jacobetti Veterans Home in the Upper is asking for gift cards for their residents for Christmas. Penny reported that Chapter 616 in Ohio has recently become the first incorporated, incarcerated AVVA chapter. Nationally there are 37 incarcerated chapters.

I then gave the Constitution/By-Law report. After discussion the delegates voted to temporarily hold the MSC meetings every other month. This means we will meet; 12/06/09, 02/21/10, 04/18/10 and 06/10. As Constition Chair I will now accept proposed by-law amendments at the February and April meetings. I will also accept nominations for officers at the February and April meetings. The new updated, revised National VVA constitution is now available on-line www.vva.org.

3rd V. President P'Nut Hicks then gave the membership report. He had a flyer which showed that Michigan VVA membership has increased from 3,737 to 3,838 over the past year. AVVA numbers have grown from 393 to 425. There's strength in numbers as they say and we should all continue our recruiting and retention efforts.

1st V. President Bob Erickson reported that the POW/MIA number from RVN is now 1,728. There were 3 recent identifications made public. For personal family reasons not all remains are publically announced. National VVA Vice President Jack Devine then announced that the "Sons & Daughters In Touch" group will be celebrating their 20th anniversary on Father's Day in D.C..

Secretary Ray Essenmacher then reviewed the 2 page PTSD flyer he provided. The VA has increased its mental health staff over the past 4 years to help serve combat veterans. The VA has also established a suicide prevention helpline, 1-800-273-TALK and an online chat site at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/Veterans.

2nd V. President John Riling then gave the Everything Veteran (product sales) report. He thanked everyone that helped him during the Kokomo week, which was quite successful. John also attended the Black Lake Veterans Seminar and sold products on the side. John has many new T-shirts with very neat designs.

Ken announced that October 25th is the next deadline for submissions for the Michigan VVA News. It is not clear how long the state can continue to publish the newsletter so all members with a computer should definitely consider emailing mivvanews@comcast.net and request that Bobbi Heidenrich, Editor add their email address to the distribution list. Sandie Wilson, National At-Large Director, reported that the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund balance is right at $48 million. Emergency disbursements are limited to $1,000.00 per request. Sandie also mentioned that the VA has pledged to ensure to uphold its obligation to meet the needs of women veterans. Also the VA is to conduct a 'Women who served in Vietnam' survey.

Phil Smith, Service Office Director, then reviewed his written report. As Phil's office has continued to be swamped in claims the Detroit Regional VA office is currently 16,000 claims backlogged. Nationally VA is 1,000,000 behind on claim processing. Recoveries since October 1, 2008 are $17,318,612.00. The state of Michigan budget has drastically reduced the VVA grant which is now at $60,100.00 until the end of March 2010.

Phil (Chapter 267) then made a motion to host the 2010 MSC convention with support from Chapter 528 at the DoubleTree Hotel, June 11-13. The delegates voted to approve that motion.

Ken mentioned that the VVA National office plans to move to a new location within the next few months, to a building 1 block away from their current location in Silver Spring, MD.