Minutes for DAV Chapter 200 meeting held November 20, 2008 at Oneonta Vet’s Club. Meeting opened by Cmdr.Keidel in proper manner at 7:10 pm. Officers present: Cmdr. Keidel, Sr. Vice Donnelly, Jr. Vice Hopper, Chaplain Coates, Treasurer Henriksen was excused for illness. Visitors: Henri Carrere, USN Ret.. Henri presented a short program about the pins he designed and wears to signify military funerals he has attended. The point being that no veteran should be buried without proper attendance by a fellow veteran or active duty personnel. The pins can be worn as a single pin to represent all funerals attended or an individual pin for each funeral. Henri donated some pins but others are available at a nominal cost. We also discussed the group from Kansas that is protesting military funerals. Their presence seems to be going away. October minutes were read and approved on a motion by John, 2nd by Grant. No Treasurers report: Bills were presented by Ernest Thompson for an Ad in the Pennysaver to advertise the old DAV van ($20.00) and one for printer ink and envelopes ($42.59). The bills were approved on a motion by Grant, 2nd by John. Sickness & Distress: Jerry Shannon is in Fox Nursing Home for therapy on his broken ankle. Membership: It was reported that Robert Olmstead has passed away. Francis Rickard may be deceased as he has been removed from the roster by national. I have no verification on this. Also under membership, Chapter 200 has been awarded a ribbon for making our membership quota. During a ceremony Cmdr. Keidel ordered the ribbon placed on the chapter DAV flag. Adjutant Thompson held the flag in a lowered position while Sr. Vice Donnelly placed the ribbon on the pole. Chaplain Coates read a short prayer taken from the DAV ritual book and Cmdr. Keidel ordered a hand salute to the flag. It was discussed that a 5.8 % increase will be paid on VA compensation. All Communications were read and placed out for all to see. Committee reports: The phone number for the Travel Office at Albany VAMC is 518-626--6706. Any one having questions concerning VA travel should call that number. The November 1st Forget-Me-Not Drive raised just under $800.00. Lots more could have been collected if we had more help. Adjutant Thompson reported that he and his wife attended the 75th anniversary party for DAV Chapter38 at the Troy Country Club. A great tine was reported. Veteran’s Day service was held in Neahwa Park, followed by an open house at the Vet’s Club. Adjutant Thompson expressed concern that such a small number of veterans came out for the observance. If we as veterans don’t support the day how can we expect the general population to do it. Unfinished business: It was decided to let Dennis Martin purchase the old DAV van for $500.00 instead of the advertised price of $800.00. Mr. Martin will pay the $50.00 it is costing the chapter to get a NYS title from Department of Motor Vehicles. We need the van in our name before we can sell it. The motion to allow the sale was made by John, 2nd by Elmer and approver by a voice vote. New Business: A motion by John, 2nd by Grant to send a $75.00 Wal-Mart thanksgiving gift card to Michael Graml of Richfield Springs was approved. Michael has 4 children at home and his wife is in the hospital suffering from a stroke. John Donnelly made a motion 2nd by Grant Coates that the chapter have $15,000.00 withdrawn from the van account to pay our share on a new 2009 van. The van will replace the 2004 van we are now using to transport veterans to the VAMC at Albany. At this writing the present van has over 205,000 miles. Delivery of the new van is expected in late spring 2009. The motion was approved. The 25th anniversary of the forming of DAV Chapter 200 is December 16, 2008. The general agreement at the meeting was to have some kind of recognition of that event. A get together of the general membership will be planned. All members will be notified and light refreshments will be served. The cost to be borne by the chapter. Good of the Order donations were $25.00. A Memorial Service to our departed comrades was held at 8:00pm. Closing prayer and meeting was adjourned at 9:00pm. Submitted by Ernest Thompson, Adjutant