May 2008

 
MEETINGS & ELECTION RESULTS
We are happy to report that we had more than a quorum present on April 12th and that the chapter was able to conduct both our annual meeting and election, and the special meeting to amend our bylaws, without a hitch.  Our "new" officers and board are mostly the same except that Boe Boeve "retired" (again!) and Malcolm Hill was elected in his place.  Two members allowed themselves to be nominated from the floor, but didn't get enough votes to be called to serve this time.  We know who to call on now, though... <grin>


UPCOMING VVA BIG BEND CHAPTER 96 MEETINGS
 
May 15, 2008      -      June 19, 2008      -      July 17, 2008
 
On these dates the Board will meet at 6:15 p.m., and Members will meet at 7:30 p.m.  
The Board also meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month.
 
REMEMBER TO BRING CANNED GOODS FOR HOMELESS VETS!

 
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
 
I hope this finds everyone well.  We had a great annual meeting, with plenty of voting members attending and to casting their votes.  Some came from afar.  (THANKS Doc Carr!!)  I hope to see you all again (plus more) in November. 
 
Now is the time to get down to business about our upcoming anniversaries and Veterans Day.  I have set some goals that may seem out of reach to some of you, but building the Hootch at the time was a far reach also.  We owe it to ourselves to stand proud in front of the community this Veterans Day and thank them for 20 years of support.  My list of goals includes painting the Hootch, inside and out, new carpet or tile in the meeting room, tile the kitchen area, the front deck needs to be replaced along with the steps, the Huey needs to be pressure washed, and the grounds need to be policed and cleaned.  We will start planning for a few work days in the near future, so "stay tuned".
 
We are bringing in the Traveling Wall for a week in November.  We will be asking other veterans organizations to co-sponsor this event with us. We also have a few letters of solicitation to be carried to various local businesses and groups soon.  If anybody you know might be willing to help bring the Wall to Tallahassee, tell us so we can give a letter to them. 
 
Thanks again to all that came to our annual meeting.  I'm proud to serve as your president.
Lest we forget
Rick Clevenger
Chapter 96 Annual Financial Report Follow-up
 
Some concerns have been expressed concerning the negative "bottom line" of the report for the Chapter 96 fiscal year.  Normal business financial reports have two parts:  a statement of income and expense, and a balance sheet.  State law requires only that a statement of income and expense be submitted to members.  Last year was unusual in that a brand new steel roof was installed on the Hootch and the chapter paid half of the cost to remove an enormous oak tree that destroyed part of the brand-new porch roof (the cost of repairing the damaged roof itself was mostly covered by insurance).  So, our expenses exceeded our income during the year, but at no time have we been insolvent, "broke", or anything close.  In addition, since the fiscal year ended (less than two months ago) we have already raised approximately as much money as during all of the 2007-2008 fiscal year, and we are just getting started!  We do need funds and will be raising funds in the coming months, not for operational expenses, but because of the special events that are planned or the Chapter's 25th anniversary and Veterans Day, particularly bringing the Traveling Wall to Tallahassee.
Richard White, Editor
SO LONG AGO, YESTERDAY

SO LONG AGO YESTERDAY WE SHARED SOME HISTORY

AN ACCELERATED TIME WHERE WE CAME TO SHARE

AN EXPERIENCE TOGETHER IN OUR WORLDS INFAMY

 

WHAT FORCES MARCHED US TOGETHER UPON THE DYING FIELDS

AND LAID OUR HEARTS OPEN TO THE CORE

AS WE TESTED OURSELVES OUR LOVE OF LIFE AND LIBERTY

 

WE KNEW OUR BROTHERS IN A WAY WE KNEW NO OTHER MEN

OUR LIVES DEPENDENT THERE UPON STRIPPED OF HUMANITY

WE DID NOT PICK THOSE WHO WOULD SHOULDER OUR QUEST

FACING OUR FOES IN A DESPERATE CLASH EACH WITHIN

AS IN A HORRIBLE DRAMA PLAYED OUT SELF DEFEATING AT BEST

 

HOPING EACH ENGAGEMENT WOULD BE OUR LAST OUR BONDS HELD

WITHOUT REGARD AS BLOOD SMEARED THE GROUND

BROTHERS THEN AND ALWAYS NEVER TO FORGET THE SOUNDS

WE WOULD NEVER AGAIN FEEL THIS WAY PLEDGING OUR TRUST UNSAID

TO ANYONE PAST THAT TIME IS WHAT WE HAVE FOUND

 

THE THOUGHT THAT SOMEONE FROM THAT TIME WOULD REMEMBER ME

AS I DO REMEMBER THEM FUELS ME WITH THIS NOTION REAPED

WITH THE DEBT I FEEL TO THEM HAS NEVER LEFT MY MIND

BECAUSE OF THOSE I AM HERE AND NOW NO OPPORTUNITY TO SAY

NOW SO LONG AGO, YESTERDAY

                                                                                     DEREK EVANS BOEVE   04/24/2008

Chapter 96's web site is - http://vva96.org