JANUARY 25, 2010 MINUTES
The meeting was called to order by Commander Doug Foote at 1900 HRS. Present during the meeting were the following:
Pat Oatman
Douglas Foote
Bruce Archer
Tom Hughes
A K Burr
Bruce Irving
Rick Lane
Brad Spencer
Floyd Beery
Richard Beery
Howard Wallace
David Freeman
The Commander advised that the minutes of the last meeting are posted on the Post website. A motion was made, seconded, and carried unanimously to accept the minutes as posted.
Adjutant's Report
The Post has $486.39 in the Syringa Bank account. We have two new members Pat Oatman and Bruce Archer. We have sold 5 flag sets in the business program in the past week.
The oratorical contest will not be held this year in Middleton. It was discovered last week that the judging at the Post level would have to have been completed prior to January 31, 2010. And the school has had no interested students apply. The High School Principal and the Post Adjutant made an executive decision to cancel for this year, and begin the process for the 2011 contest in October, to give teachers and students plenty of notice.
Brad Spencer advised that he has been contacted by Coach Diaz, the baseball coach for Middleton High School. They are interested in Legion Baseball. Brad was appointed as liason with Coach Diaz.
Sick Call
Paul Paxton is presently undergoing chemotherapy. Tom Hughes son is extremely ill, and having a lot of pain from war wounds.
Old Business
The Commander advised that the Legion is following the Agent Orange bill very closely, and making efforts to get members of Congress on board to pass the bill.
The Commander also said that efforts are under way to complete paperwork to get a Purple Heart for Robert Dixon for wounds suffered in Viet Nam. The paperwork will be sent to Congressman Minnick for his assistance.
Service Officer Report
The Service Officer reported that in the health care bills before Congress, the government is not going to tax Medicare or Tri-Care. If there is no new bill, there will be a 21% cut to Doctor payments, with an annual renewal. Medicare benefits will run out in 7 years. The VA health care system may require a $15 co-pay for doctor visits and prescriptions which is up from $7. Once enrolled in the program there will be no further income qualification checks.
There are rumors flying all over the Internet, but in fact the VA and Tri-Care is not being touched in the proposed national health care bills. "We are Hands Off" is the message coming from Congress to the VA. There was a discussion about VA Medical care and that Category "8" (no service related conditions) is still open through the VA. Veterans that are not currently enrolled in the VA Medical system should get to the local VA Hospital business office and get registered. It only takes a few minutes and once in, you can't be dropped. The local VA Medical facility is rated as one of the best in ths system and that waiting times are the shortest in the U.S. Average time to get a standard appointment is less than 2 weeks.
There is at present an effort in Congress to have a Constitutional Amendment to ban flag desecration. A member of the House of Representatives has proposed a name change for the Marine Corps to "The Department of the Navy and Marine Corps."
New Business
A motion was made, seconded, and carried by unanimous vote to provide the Sunrise Café with a flag in the business Flag program at no charge, because of their hospitality to the Post.
It was discussed that the Post Bugler located a WW II US Army brass bugle. The cost of the bugle and cover was $113.00. A motion was made, seconded and carried by unanimous vote to purchase the bugle and cover for $113.00 to be used in ceremonies.
The Commander advised that we have had 3 flag kits delivered and more will be ordered this week. We will begin mounting the brackets for these on businesses with in the next two weeks as a flag holiday is rapidly approaching.
The Commander reported on his attendance at the Midwinter Conference. This was a formal meeting of Post Commanders and representatives. He noted that out of all the Posts in Idaho only 7 posts, including Post 39, had 100% membership paid by year end. The Post will receive a $100.00 gift certificate to national Flag & Emblem Sales and a ribbon for our post flag when we get one. Post 39 was formally recognized for our efforts at the meeting. Department is pushing with the State Department of Commerce to get F35 Fighters assigned to Boise and Mt Home.
The Commander also mentioned at the general meeting of the mid-winter conference, that Post 18 in Nampa is the sponsoring post of the SW Legion Riders Unit, and the SW Legion Riders was created, in no small way, by our own Brad Spencer.
The Vice Commander announced that in the Pledge of Allegiance the phrase "One Nation Under God" does not contain a pause.
The Chaplain requested that if anyone is aware of members who are having problems, or on Sick Call to contact him.
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 1955 HRS.
Respectfully Submitted
David Freeman
Adjutant
The next meeting will be on February 22 at the Sunrise Cafe in Middleton.
