Dinner: The American Legion Post 229 was held at the IHOP located
on Hwy 72 West starting at 6 pm. During the diner Commander Woods updated
Legionnaires, wives and friends of the Post 2015 accomplishments and showed
slide shows of these events.
The Dinner was a success. The
Post is considering having the dinner /meeting for legionnaires, wives, friends
and potential members on a quarterly basis.
Call to Order
The meeting of American Legion
Post 229 was called to order by Commander Woods. Opening prayer was offered by
post Chaplain Ricky Spears. Legionnaire in attendance were Commander Carlos
Woods, Past Commander Carl Dow, Vice Bill McGahey, Adjutant Larry Vannoy, Deputy
SgtofArms James Vance, Max Riddle and wife Amanda Riddle, Jerry Tepper and
wife Barbara, Dewey Cockman, Lelia Woods, Kenneth Epps and wife Virginia, Ricky
Spears and wife Phyllis, Louis Rizzo and brother, Wendell, Bill Pettit, Larry
Frakes, Ray Barnes, Marlyce Cook, Serelda Ventura, Mario Ventura, Angela
Thomas, Richard Thomas, Aiyaha Thomas and Richard Jones. Angela Thomas and
Richard Thomas joined our Post on this night.
Approval of Previous Minutes
Commander asked the meeting
attendees if all had the opportunity to review the published meeting and if
there were any corrections. No corrections or clarifications were made.
Reports
Sick and ShutIn: Tom
McKinney’s wife had surgery and is recovering.
Adjutant: Commander Woods stated that he would make the Adjutant
report due to the newly elected Adjutant begin just assigned the duty. The post
membership is currently at 107% according to the state but there remains a
discrepancy on the true percentage of membership.
Finance: Finance Officer Kelley was absent. Commander Woods
stated that most of the recent expenses were associated with the JROTC medals
and wreaths storage containers.
Financial report was accepted and voted on and passed.
State Report: Nothing to report
District/County Report:
Alabama State Headquarters has
asked Commander Woods to be the Division Commander for District 1 for
recruiting. Commander woods has not accepted this position at this time. This
will be additional duties if he accept.
North
Alabama Veterans Coalition (NAVFOC): No report from NAVFOC.
Disabled
Veterans (DAV): No Report.
Committees Reports:
●
Memorial
Day/Week:
Bill McGahey spoke on events planned for Memorial Day
Weekend leading up to Memorial
Day and Memorial Day itself.
o
The Memorial
Day Ceremony to be held at our Madison Veteran Park, the corner of Front and
Church Street, Madison, Alabama. Date and time of the event is 30 May 2016,
11:00 AM. We are looking for volunteers
to help with the planning and setup that will start earlier in the day.
o
We will honor
our fallen veteran by placing US flags at three Madison Commentaries. We will
be meeting at Memorial Gardens, located on Hughes Road by the Madison City
Municipal Courthouse. We will meet on Saturday, 28 may 2016, time 9 AM in the
parking lot.
o
We will also
have our Poppy Giveaway on 28th and 29th May 2016. Poppies will be given out at three Walmart
locations, Hwy 20 and Hwy 72 in Madison, Walmart Market, Wall Tirana in
Harvest, Alabama. Hours are 10am until 4 PM on both days. Commander Woods will
be sending out a signup sheet. We need your help, contact Commander Woods at
email: woodscarlos12@gmail.com
, telephone: Remember all our
funds are used in Madison County.
●
Americanism
Committee: Committee
Chairman Tom McKinney was not present, however the status remains that he is
working on City of Madison firefighter and Police Officer of the Year awards.
●
Membership
Committee: We have several
members that according to our records that have not renewed, Commander Woods is
continuing to contact nonrenewed members. A reminder was given that fees are
going up to $45 starting this year. We need each member to recruit a friend.
Commander Woods has sent out the new membership letter and a new application.
●
Monument
Committee: Commander Woods stated that the current Veteran’s Memorial in downtown
Madison is in disrepair and needs to be replaced at the cost of
$39K. Commander Woods informed
the members that he has received a copy of the American Legion National
Headquarters paperwork that identifies our American Legion Post 229 as a
50119c nonprofit classification also applies to the state. Now that we have
this paperwork in hand we can start pursuing organizations and members to help
us fund the monument. We are seeking
new members for the Monument Committee,
Sgt of Arms James Vance is our
new Committee chairman. We are seeking donations for the monument.
●
Post Home
Committee: Chairman
Larry Vannoy spoke on the progress towards finding a permanent post home.
Madison need a place for our veterans. Several locations have been identified,
Jerry Tepper and wife Barbara have been doing searches for the owners. One of those locations, the owner has been
contacted but was not interested in making it available to the post. Others options remain for us to rent or share
a facility with another organization. Now that we have the paperwork in hand
identifying our post as a nonprofit 50119c, more opportunities to fund raiser
have opened up. A draft article has been written for the Madison Living
Magazine which is being prepared for release.
Unfinished Business
●
Service
Officers Training: Training
continues at the Madison City Hall with a class coming up next week, the 18
February 2016. We have had two members to participate and Commander Woods. The
intent of this training is not to offer advice but rather help facilitate
putting together the materials for submission of requests for benefits to the
VA.
●
New Members Initiation: New members Initiation was not conducted.
●
Boys State: Commander Woods stated that this is a week long
event where young men get the opportunity to participate in state government.
This year 29 May thought 4 June at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Unfortunately we, nor Huntsville Post
237 will be able to pay the participation fees nor the bus trip to Montgomery
for Boy’s State unless we are fortunate to find a donor. However, Post 237 is
putting on a dinner for the Madison County attendees and their families. The Madison Counties American Legion Posts
are looking for 48 High School Junior Boys to participate. The Application fee for each young man will
be $225 and the bus fare will be $50. We are requesting donations from business, community and members to pay
$2000.00 for the bus. We are
asking for tax exempt donations. If you would like to donate please forward to
American Legion Post 229, ATTN: Boys State Bus, PO Box 194, Madison, Al 35758.
Make your donation payable to American Legion Post 229.
●
Veteran of
the Week: The Madison Record
newspaper is still looking for Madison City Veterans to feature in their
newspaper. It will feature your military career. Contact Commander Woods if you
are interested.
New Business
●
Post
Charter: Commander Woods
presented a new copy of our Post Charter that he recently acquired State
Headquarters. At the next meeting we would like members to sign it. Come out
and get your name on our charter.
● 10% Rule on
NonWartime Veterans Participation: Member Jerry Tepper asked asked about a potential of having up to 10% of
the American Legion post could be members but not have been on active duty
during wartime. Adjutant Vannoy took the action to investigate.
●
Nomination
of New Officers 2017: We will
nominate new officer for 2017. Come out and run for office and be a part of the
process to build our Post.
