1. The American Legion Post 176 General Membership Meeting was called to order at 1930 on 3 Jun 2008, with 1^st Vice Commander Harrison presiding.

a. The vice Adjutant called roll. The following officers were excused from the meeting: Commander Lipscomb, Adjutant Buckley, Judge Advocate Petersen, and Historian Nichols. All other officers were present with the exception of 2yr Committeeman Hanson. The minutes of the 6 May 08 membership meeting will be posted on the Web.

b. Vice Commander Harrison announced that Commander Lipscomb is out of town due to the death of his Mother.

2. Committee Reports were as follows:

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

1.) Membership Committee: Seven candidates were presented for membership this evening (3 new members and 4 transfers). The names of new members were read and approved in block. The names of transfer members also were read and approved in block. The membership total is now 1584 people. We are still 119 people short of 100% (1689).

2.) Baseball: The baseball season began on 1 Jun; however, Sunday’s game at Lee High School was postponed. The upcoming schedule will be posted on the Web site when it’s available.

3.) Legislative: Members of the Gold Star Wives of America who lost their husbands in military service came to the District Memorial Day weekend to be honored on Capital Hill.

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

1.) Americanism: The Commander reported at the 29 Jan 08 EXCOM meeting that the portraits of George Washington would be distributed to seven schools in the Fairfax County School System before 22 Feb (George Washington’s birthday). He is checking with George Tesla to confirm the status.

2.) Blood Drive: The next blood drive is scheduled for Tuesday, 17 Jun 08, at the Post Home. Please contact Joe Finch at 703-569-1552 for an appointment.

3.) Boys State: Eddie Dentz reported that 15 boys from four schools are registered to attend Boys State beginning on 21 Jun. $40 a person is needed for bus fare. A motion was made and seconded to approve $600 for transportation. The motion was carried by unanimous vote. One hundred sixty-three boys are attending from the 17^th District.

4.) Sons of the American Legion (SAL): The SAL will conduct a retirement ceremony on 14 Jun to dispose of old flags. In addition, they will be supporting the 17^th District with the Honor Flight on 7 Jun to help bring veterans to the WWII Memorial.

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

1.) Adopt-a-Highway: The highway clean-up was held on Thursday, 29 May. Edison High School Junior ROTC cadets helped clean a two mile stretch along Backlick Road.

2.) Bingo: The bingo fund made $1700 last week. The bingo teams still need additional callers and cashiers.

3.) Children & Youth: The Auxiliary will be collecting donations in August for school supplies for needy children. They are also planning a children’s Halloween and Christmas Party (with puppeteer), and a Valentine’s Party in February.

4.) House Rules: 3^rd Vice Commander Smith announced that the House Rules are being reviewed to ensure that Post policy parallels State guidelines.

d. Finance: Finance Officer Hurd has met with Fiducial Small Business Services concerning the monthly reports. The 15^th of the month is the deadline for receiving the previous month’s financial information. Fiducial then needs 10 to 15 days to prepare the final report. Reports will be one month behind and will include balances on Post accounts and certificates of deposit. The report ending 30 Apr was distributed to the members. It takes approximately $17 K a month to cover the Post operating expenses.

e. Chaplain:

1.) Robert E. Jones, Jimmy’s brother, died on 1 May, and Lew Lipscomb’s mother passed away last Saturday. Flowers were sent to Commander Lipscomb’s family on behalf of the Post.

2.) Jeannine Hazard has a broken jaw, and Comrade Dave Jacobson is recovering from jaw surgery. George Panagakos is in the Leewood Nursing Home and Josephine Harbert is still in the Woodbine Nursing Center. Comrade Jim Gathercoal from the Post is in the VA Hospital, along with 9^th District Commander Rourke. Art Leclair, 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 Calvin Malone, a retired E7, who needed assistance to resubmit a VA claim. The claim was last updated 10 yrs ago, and since then, he has had changes in his medical history. Ali is working with the VA to process the claim.

2.) Ali also received calls from two veterans (Dean Strong and Lenval Logan) who were seeking job placement assistance. One has been hired so far.

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

1.) Comrades Dick Vatter, Jimmy Jones, Bill Durham, and Les Grizzard attended the ground breaking for the new Fisher House on 21 May at the D.C. VA Medical Center.

2.) The Post Auxiliary delivered 60 boxes of donated items to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) last month. This month, Post 176 will be visiting 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. Post Scripts: The May-Jun issue is the second bi-monthly edition of the Post Scripts. Articles are due to the Commander by the 15^th of the month prior to publication.

i. Corporate Board (CB):

1.) Rod Carlone introduced the CB members for the new Legion Year. Dennis Stokowski has gone to Jacksonville and will be replaced. The CB will brief the EXCOM on all proposals from Monument Realty before deciding whether or not to endorse them. Monument Realty has made an offer for a portion of our Post property as part of a larger purchase of surrounding properties (from Sunoco to the United Methodist Church). The CB has retained an attorney (John McBride) who specializes in land use to advise the Post on pending offers. The Board will work closely with the EXCOM to resolve all legal, property, and management issues concerning the Post.

2.) Rod Carlone reported that several repairs over $10,000 are coming due. This includes $28-$30 K to replace the HVAC unit. A list of projects was published in the Oct 07 Post Scripts.

4. Unfinished Business:

a. The Springfield Days Parade was held Saturday, 31 May, at 1000. Les Albers and the Post Color Guard lead the parade. Activities included a cookout at the Post on Friday night, 30 May.

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.

5. New Business:

a. A motion was made and carried to reimburse the Chaplain $100 for flowers that were sent to Commander Lipscomb’s family. The Post maintains a modest contingency fund (currently $300) for unbudgeted expenses.

b. The 17^th District which is hosting the Department of VA Convention has asked for donations to help pay expenses. At the 20 May EXCOM meeting, $1600 was approved for convention support. An additional amount of $240 was approved for the Hospitality Suite at the Marriott Hotel.

c. The Greater Springfield Community flag will be dedicated on Flag Day, 14 Jun 08. The Post color guard will participate.

d. Good of the Legion: The Auxiliary is again distributing memorial poppies. Donations are used exclusively for rehabilitation and assistance to veterans and their families.

e. There being no further business, a motion was made and carried to adjourn the meeting. Chaplain Buettner won the 50-50 drawing of $23. The meeting was adjourned at 2051.

Ali Nikolai Lew Lipscomb

Vice Adjutant Commander