OFFICERS PRESENT:
John Clark, Interim President
Mike Gale, Interim Vice President
Ronnie Vause, Interim Secretary

OTHERS PRESENT:

Chuck Andrews Joe Bausch Jim Brick Phillip Terry Dunne David Estrovitz Kent Gowers Vincent Hall Michael Hurley

Art Lynch Bob Prinselarr Bruce Raftery Denver Raymer Val Smith Roger Soukup Raymond L. Tosti Jim Winkler

Call to Order
Meeting was called to order at 1010 hours by Interim President John Clark. Those present stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Minutes of the April 23, 2005 meeting were approved.

Discussion Items
President Clark stated we are in process of becoming VVA Chapter #961. Our petition to become a chapter was lost in Washington D.C. When we become a chapter we’ll elect a President, Vice President and Secretary.

Volunteers for a nominating committee were requested:  Dave Estrovitz, Denver Raymer and Michael Hurley agreed and will be the Nominating Committee.

There was a motion to close nominations, it was seconded and passed.

President Clark further stated that we are all invited to attend a ceremony at St.George cemetery on Memorial Day at 1000 hours 30May, 2005.

It was mentioned that a parade on June 13th to honor the 222nd and other celebrations of their preparing to leave for Iraq have been cancelled, apparently they were given orders not to discuss departure date.

Keyenta is having a thank you to armed services, past and present on this date from 7 to 9 pm . This is to celebrate Armed Forces Day.

The VVa Regional meeting is in Reno Nevada on June 11-12. It’s time to get your room.

The National VVA is convention is also in Reno in August. An item on the agenda is to consider changing the organization from Viet Nam Vets to include others ( Afghanistan , Iraq ect.) mostly due to the aging process.

There is a luncheon for Veterans and Spouses on 30May, 2005 at no cost toVets.

Chuck Andrews, St. George VA Clinic, gave us some information. Chuck said some of us may have VA benefits due us and we likely don’t know. Besides medical and the normal it is possible a Vet could get yearly passes to State or National parks for a minimum fee. Also. the use of a van to travel to Salt Lake City for VA appointments is free. Chuck suggests we need a Vet Center in St. George. The closest is Las Vegas, then Salt Lake City then Farmington N.M. He said we need to leverage our clout when we get to be a chapter of VVA.

Bob Prinselaar read a poem about veterans.

Next Meeting
Next meeting will be held on June 18, 2005 from 1000 to 1200 hours at the Dixie Elk’s Lodge #1743 in St. George, Utah in St. George, Utah.

Adjourn
There being no further business President Clark Asked for a vote to adjourn at 1135 hours.

Respectfully submitted,

.
Ronnie Vause, Interim Secretary
Southern Utah Chapter #961 of VVA

Southern Utah Chapter VVA contacts:

John Clark, Interim President: @ 435-644-5018

Mike Gale, Interim Vice President: @ 435-635-2166

Ronnie Vause, Interim Secretary/Treasurer: @ 435-574-3344

P.O. Box 911055
St. George, Utah 84791-1055