1. The American Legion Post 176 General Membership Meeting was called to order at 1930 on 1 Jul 2008, with Commander Lipscomb presiding.

a. The vice Adjutant called roll. The following officers were excused from the meeting: 2^nd Vice Commander Forry, Adjutant Buckley, Judge Advocate Petersen, and Historian Nichols. All other officers were present.

b. The minutes of the 3 Jun 08 General Membership Meeting were read. A motion was made and carried to approve the minutes with corrections as noted.

2. The Commander introduced John McBride, the attorney retained by the Corporate Board to advise the Post on pending proposals from Monument Realty.

a. Mr. McBride briefed the membership on some issues concerning the property purchase proposal from Monument.

1.) The price of $8.5 M (minus parking) is based on the County awarding a FAR of 2.0. The FAR, however, could come in at 1.7 to 1.8. This would result in a reduction of $1.34 M to $.89 M respectively. Mr. McBride is attempting to resolve this issue with the County so the Post has a bottom line dollar price for the property.

2.) Currently Monument has offered the Post 30 permanent full time parking spaces with unlimited night and weekend use. However, as a private organization, the Post is required under zoning laws to maintain one parking space per three members. This means the Post would need to keep at least 53 parking spaces. Mr. McBride indicated the Post may be able to get a change to this requirement with rezoning, but this is not a guarantee. The parking and pricing issues will be addressed further with the County at a land use meeting on 28 July.

3.) Mixed use office buildings are also being projected for the area surrounding the Post. Zoning would be changed to commercial; then the Post would need a special exception to stay non-profit. The Post has two options: Do nothing and stay with what we have, or become a partner in a mixed use development.

b. Mr. McBride advised it would be prudent for the Post to enter into a partner agreement with surrounding neighbors and submit a land use application to the County. Once we lock down the value of our property with the County, then we should continue discussions with Monument Realty to get the best terms available. Mr. McBride will work with the Corporate Board to represent the Post in all dealings with Fairfax County and with Monument Realty.

3. Committee Reports were as follows:

a. 1^st Vice Commander Harrison reported on the following activities:

1.) Membership Committee: Thirteen candidates were presented for membership this evening (6 new members, 2 transfers, and 5 renewals). The names of new and renewal members were read and approved in block. The names of transfer members also were read and approved in block. The membership total is now 1597 people. We are still 92 people short of 100% (1689).

2.) Baseball: The baseball season began on 1 Jun. The team has 7 wins and 7 losses. The next game is tomorrow night at Lee High School.

3.) Legislative: Jacob Gadd from the National Veterans’ Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission presented a report on 22 May to the Congressional Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. The report addressed the American Legion’s view on the effectiveness of the Veterans Benefit Administration’s (VBA’s) outreach efforts.

b. 2^nd Vice Commander Forry reported on the following activities:

1.) Blood Drive: The bi-monthly blood drive was held on 17 Jun 08. Thirty-four units of blood were collected. The next blood drive is scheduled for Tuesday, 19 Aug 08, at the Post Home. Please contact Joe Finch at 703-569-1552 for an appointment.

2.) Boys State: Fifteen boys from four schools attended Boys State the week of 21 Jun. One boy, Ted Richards, sent a note to the Post saying that he had learned a lot from his experience. One hundred sixty-three boys participated from the 17^th District.

3.) Scouting: Summer Camp started the end of June at Goshen Scout Reservation. The troop is working on merit badges and enjoying outdoor activities.

4.) Sons of the American Legion (SAL): Chip Byers reported that the SAL reached its membership goal of 120 persons for Legion Year 2007-2008. The SAL had a total of 122 members for the year.

c. 3^rd Vice Commander Smith reported on the following activities:

1.) Bingo: The bingo fund made $3000 in profits last month. Attendance has increased over the last four weeks. The bingo teams still need additional callers and cashiers.

2.) Children & Youth: The Auxiliary will be collecting donations in August for school supplies for needy children. Mike Siwik is doing the Children & Youth program again this year.

3.) House Rules: 3^rd Vice Commander Smith announced that review of the House Rules has been completed. The House Rules Committee will increase to five people from the Post, the SAL, and the Auxiliary.

4.) Jr ROTC: The Jr ROTC Awards Ceremony was held on 15 May. The Commander presented six medals for outstanding achievement.

d. Finance: The report ending 31 May is available in the Lounge. Finance Officer Hurd reported that it takes approximately $17 K a month to cover the Post operating expenses, and $180 to $185 K is needed for repairs. He is currently working on the Legion Year 09 budget.

e. Chaplain:

1.) Mr. Robert Woodard, father of Comrade Elizabeth Woodard, passed away the week of 8 Jun. Comrade Bill Stone died on 13 Jun, and Comrade Nicanor Zalamia passed away on 19 Jun. Adjutant Buckley.s father-in-law also died last Saturday (28 Jun).

2.) George Panagakos is still in the Leewood Nursing Home and Josephine Harbert has left the Woodbine Nursing Center and is recovering at home. Art Leclair fell and broke four ribs. He also is having lung problems and may be terminally ill. Rich Tiner, and Ralph Nichols are ill, as well as Past Chaplain Al Cockrell. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

f. Service Officer:

1.) Ali Nikolai received a call from Dennis Gorondy, the son of a WWII Marine who was seeking assistance for his mother who had a stroke recently. His father is deceased and he was inquiring if his mother is entitled to any medical benefits from the VA. After checking with the VA, Ali informed him that she is entitled to a pension, but the most it will pay is $11,985 based on non-reimbursable medical expenses and any income she may be receiving. Ali recommended that he set up an appointment with Robert White from the Virginia Department of Veterans’ Services for a more precise determination of benefits. Ali also mentioned that his mother may be eligible for support from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Assistance since she is a Pennsylvania resident.

2.) Adjutant Buckley also forwarded a request for assistance from Mary Horning, the mother of a Marine corporal stationed in Iraq. His Company’s camp was destroyed by an electrical fire which left most of the Marines without clothes or possessions. The 2^nd and 3^rd Vice Commanders are in receipt of the request.

g. Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation (VA&R):

1.) The Post received a Certificate of Appreciation from the 3^rd Infantry Division for the $500 donation to support the cookout at the Malone House.

2.) Representatives of the Post and Auxiliary visited the nursing and rehabilitation wing of the D.C. VA Medical Center on 17 Jun.

3.) The VA Medical Center is planning another Welcome Home Celebration for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan on 14 Jul. The Welcome Home program provides outreach services and support to combat veterans, active duty service members, and their families.

h. Corporate Board (CB):

1.) Brad Gagnon has been appointed temporarily to replace Dennis Stokowski who left in May for Jacksonville.

2.) Rod Carlone reported that several repairs over $10,000 are coming due. The primary air conditioning unit for the upper level failed last month and must be replaced. A local company has been contracted to do the replacement. Estimated cost is $28-$30 K.

i. Committeeman-at-Large: Jim Brado gave the Service Officer a copy of an American Legion Report to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs examining the effectiveness of the Veterans Benefit Administration’s (VBA) outreach efforts. He also had report from the Gold Star Wives of America addressing VBA outreach efforts. The Gold Star Wives (GSW) are surviving spouses of military Service members who died on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability. The GSW is a Congressionally–chartered Veterans Service Organization.

j. Post Scripts: The Jul-Aug issue of the Post Scripts was delivered to the printer and returned to the Post for assembly. The paper was mailed on Friday, 27 Jun.

k. Historian: Ralph Nichols is in poor health and will relinquish his duties as historian. Anyone interested in this position should contact the Commander.

4. Unfinished Business:

a. Detailed financial reports are available in the Lounge. The book will be brought down stairs for General Membership Meetings.

b. The 17^th District Convention was held Sunday, 1 Jun 08, at Post 177. Our Post received four awards: Americanism, VA&R, the Liberty Bell Award, and also the Best Large Post Award. The Commander thanked the new Vice Commanders all the volunteers who worked so hard on Post programs. Richard Tiner received the Post’s Legionnaire of the Year award.

5. New Business:

a. Comrade Sunny Thomas from the Stafford Dodge Automotive Group gave the Post a check for $100. The donation was based on used vehicle purchases from Legionnaires. An additional donation of $300 came from the Post Bridge Club.

b. A 4^th of July ceremony will be held at the Post under the outdoor flags. A cookout will follow the ceremony. Cost is $4 a person.

c. The Department of Virginia Convention will be held at the Marriott in Falls Church from 10-13 Jul 08.

d. The Korean War Ceremony will be held on 27 Jul at the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C.

e. The Legion is conducting a Leadership College from 8-10 Aug in Richmond. The deadline for registration has been extended until 24 Jul.

f. The Post Baseball Team will participate in the end of season baseball tournament in Colonial Heights, VA from 13-18 Aug.

g. Good of the Legion: The Commander asked if anyone knew the whereabouts of the SAL and the POW flags which are missing from the closet. The Commander will take an inventory of items in the closet.

h. There being no further business, a motion was made and carried to adjourn the meeting. Chaplain Buettner won the 50-50 drawing of $56. The amount was donated to Children & Youth. The meeting was adjourned at 2125.

Ali Nikolai Lew Lipscomb

Vice Adjutant Commander