UVC

                  P.O. Box 31261

        Aurora, CO 80041-1261

              

                        Minutes                                                                                  (9 October 2007)

 

 

              1.  CALL TO ORDER    (0900)

2.   INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

3.  MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR POW/MIA’s.                       

4.       WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

·         First Time Attendees/Visitors welcomed

1.       Phil Williams, Commander, Dept of Colorado, Military Order of the Purple heart

2.       Wil Alston, Dep. Communications Director, Gov. Ritter’s office

3.       William L. Gans, Secretary, American Merchant Marine Veterans, Inc

4.       Joyce Johnson, Director of Field Operations, CO Dept of Labor & Employment – requested support in encouraging employers to hire veterans, and in working with our returning disabled troops.

5.       Beth Irtz, RN, NHA, Chief Life Enhancement Officer, Pinon Mgt

6.       Rhonda DeLisa, Sr Mortgage Consultant, Home Lending Solutions

·         Special Speakers –  Christina White, ECHCS

           Spoke about VSO assistance role during pandemic disaster response

 

5.       ROLL CALL – quorum present

6.       REPORTS:   

a)       Secretary – minutes approved as published

b)       Treasurer – Report accepted

7.       ORGANIZATIONAL REPORTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:  (sequence in order of comment sheet receipt)

Military order of the Purple Heart – Commander Phil Williams has succeeded John DiBease, who passed away this summer.

Woman Marines Association – Paula Sarles, President –

·         Spent 1 week with International Assoc of Women Police promoting UVC

·         Spent time at Modern Day Marine  in Quantico VA.

·         Reminded everyone that using ALLVETERANSTRAVEL.com provides a benefit to UVC.

American Merchant Marine Veterans – Clarke Valles introduced the new officers and thank UVC for supporting the pending belated legislation thanking the Merchant Mariners of WWII.

Veteran Widows international Network – Edmee J. Hills – reported on VWIN’s trip to the Capital last month and their meetings with various officials, legislative progress, and that she has been invited to serve on Congressman Lamborn’s Veterans advisory Committee.  She also (later) asked UVC to send a thank you to Sen Marie Landrieu, LA, for her decision to submit legislation to create a National office for Survivors benefits.

Veterans of Foreign Wars –

·         Warren Telgren offered thanks for the D.G. visit hospitality, reported on VFW legislative priorities, advised that VA funding is on time, talked about the GI Bill for the 21^st century.

·         Wayne J. Thompson reported that VFW supports legislative goal B6 – VA Office of Veterans Benefits for widows and other survivors of military veterans, and requested that UVC solicit support from the Colorado congressional delegation.

Colo Dept of Labor – Tim Amthor – Requested help in publicizing veterans-related events such as the job fair on Nov 8 , and the first ever stand-down in Northern CO (Laforte, Am Legion Post 4, Oct 30)

Military Officers Association of America – Monroe Mathias advised that some of our communications incorrectly list MOAA’s name.  The correct name is as shown in this entry in the minutes.

American Ex POWs – Clayton Nattier, alternate representative advised that John Hutchins, the primary rep has been in the VA hospital and is recovering – hopefully to return in November.

American Legion – Frank McCurdy, Jr Vice Commander, Dept of Colorado, reported that legislative initiatives were emphasized at district meetings.

 

8.       COLORADO BOARD OF VETERANS AFFAIRS – George Thomas, Chairman

·         Reported on the Sept Meeting in Lamar

·         Announced that CBVA will attend all 5 Veterans stand-downs

·         Reported that work continues on the Strategic Plan

·         Attended the funeral of BG Sparks – nice service for a Colorado Hero.

 

9.       VETERANS NURSING HOME COMMISSION – Ralph Bozella, Past Chairman

·         Now Commission is in place – 3 Veterans, 3 nursing home administrators, 1 ombundsman.

·         Will testify at their 1^st meeting re summary report, transition process, and the need to establish relationships with UVC and CBVA

 

10.   VETERANS NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATION – Beth Irtz, Pinon Mgt, brief self-introductory comments

 

11.   CONGRESSIONAL STAFFERS – no inputs.

      Senator Allard’s Office –  

Senator Salazar’s Office –        

Congressional Dist. 1 – DeGette –        

Congressional Dist. 2 – Udall – 

Congressional Dist. 3 – Salazar –         

Congressional Dist. 4 – Musgrave –      

Congressional Dist. 5 – Lamborn – 

Congressional Dist. 6 – Tancredo –

                         Congressional Dist. 7 – Perlmutter –

 

12.      VISN 19, VARO, VA National Cemetery NCA,  VA  ECHCS,  VA DALC, Fort Logan

           (many attending another meeting)

                        1.)  VISN 19 –               

2.)     VARO – Janice Jacobs, Director, announced

a.       3100 new hires nationwide, 35 local to service disability claims, plus 9 others

b.       Chuck Bruen, 303-914-5905 is handling OAF/OEF outreach

c.       Approximately 409,760 outstanding claims.  130 days national average processing time, local average time is 110 days

3.)  Ft. Logan – Joe turnbach, Director, - 3511 internments in FY-07, slight increase over FY-06

           4.)  ECHCS –

 

13.   DMVA / DVA

           (attending another meeting)

 

14.   UVC COMMITTEES

·         Legislative Committee  -

o        Marvin  Meyers  - requested inputs for legislative priorities.  Military order of the Purple Heart will send Marvin details on a bill to prevent the services from taking back re-enlistment bonuses for medically discharged veterans.

o        George Thomas is now on the Governor’s Commission for the Homeless to represent Veterans’ needs

·         Banquet Committee – Ken Melcher - next banquet will be April 13, 2008, asked folks to start working their ads for the Program Book.  Also reported on Fitzimmons advisory Committee.

·         Membership Committee – Wayne Thompson reported no ---

 

15.   OLD BUSINESS – Proposed by-law changes introduced last meeting were moved by Wayne Thompson, and after multiple seconds they were passed unanimously.

  

16.   NEW BUSINESS

·         Jay Bobick announced the appointment of George Palmateer as Chair of the new membership committee

·         Jay Bobick introduced our new Legislative Liason Nate Gorman to replace Bill Hanna.

 

 

17.   ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS

·         Bill Hanna, outgoing UVC legislative liason, expressed thanks to the UVC for the opportunity to work on behalf of veterans, and for the support and friendship he enjoyed from past and current leadership.

·         Dan Tauriello commented briefly on the need for donations and fundraising.

 

18.    ADJOURN 11:05 AM.

 

19.   Next Meeting November 13, 2007

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Michael Shapiro Secretary UVC     31 October 31, 2007

 

James C. Bobick UVC President, 303-699-1575

George Dale Thomas, 1^st VP, 303-751-8252

Ralph Bozella, 2^nd VP; 303 776 3890

Michael Shapiro, Secretary 303-619-2276      Past Secretary Paula Sarlls 303-766-9023

Daniel Tauriello, Treasurer, 303 343 7507

Marvin Meyers, Legislative Committee Co-Chairman, 303-694-9022;

George Thomas, Legislative Committee Co-Chairman, 303-751-8252;

Nathan Gorman, Legislative Liaison, .

Wayne J. Thompson, Jr., Judge Advocate, 303-794-2894

            Budget Committee – Ken Melcher

            Nominating Committee – Ken Melcher, Immediate Past President

            Awards Banquet Committee – Ken Melcher           

            Membership Committee – George Palmateer, 303-279-7593