Minutes for DAV Chapter 200 meeting held December 20, 2008 at Oneonta Vet’s Club.
Note: This was a special date and time so we could celebrate the 25th anniversary of Chapter 200.
All members were notified of the change by mail.
Before the meeting a buffet lunch was served.
Preparations and clean up was done by Laura Thompson and Valerie Henriksen. Some food dishes were
provided by chapter members and we thank all of them for a job well done.
A history of the first 20 years of the chapter, written by Jerry Shannon, was read by Adjutant Thompson with
remarks of the past 5 years added in.
All the van drivers were introduced and thanked for their dedicated service.
Cmdr. Keidel called the meeting to order at 2:45pm.
Officers present: Cmdr. Keidel, Sr. Vice Donnelly, Jr. Vice Hopper, Treas. Henriksen, Chaplain Coates. Service
Officer Payne is in Florida.
16 members were present.
Visitors: We invited the DAV van drivers to the dinner and most attended. Ernest Thompson, Lou Palombo,
Dennis Martin are DAV 200 members. Jim Cleaveland, Gus Mark, Charlie Davis, Charlie Downin and Fran
Wildenstein are volunteer drivers but not DAV members. Fred Sherwood, a driver but a non member, could not
attend.
Other guests were Auxiliary members Laura Thompson and Valerie Henriksen. Spouses or friends Letty Mark,
Barbara Delaney, Nancy Donnelly, Beverly Martin, Maud Lobdell, Carolynn Palombo, Karen Alvin and
Commander Keidel‘s niece Namkyung Kim.
Reading of the November minutes was postponed till next meeting in the interest of saving time.
The October and November treasurer’s reports were accepted.
Bills against the chapter presented by Laura and Ernest Thompson and Ernst Keidel were approved on a motion
by Walt 2nd by Grant.
Sickness and Distress: Jerry Shannon is home from the hospital and having therapy on his broken ankle. Carl
Grasso is in Albany VAMC being treated for very high blood sugar. Herman Perlmutter had a stroke and is
working to get his speech back.
Membership: 5 letters to members were returned as undeliverable: Herbert Kay, Kelly Bryant, D.J. Marcus-
Brunson, Thomas Baxter and Ivan Winner. Does anyone know where they are?
All communications were read and placed out for all to see.
Committee reports: Adjutant Thompson reported he has applied for a NYS title to the 1996 DAV van. The
request for a 2009 van has been sent to DAV Dept. of New York along with a check for $15,000.00 as the chapter’
s share of the cost. The van should arrive in May 2009.
Old business: The deal with Dennis Martin to buy the 1996 van for $500.00 had to be cancelled because we did
not have the title. Scott Hill (267-4779) has made an offer of $500.00 when we get the title. I will contact him to
see if he’s interested.
New business: It was reported that Lowe’s Home Improvement and Home Depot will give veterans 10% off all
purchases. Just show some kind of ID card.
A request was made by Lou Palombo to get blankets for the van, in case of emergency. Comrade Roger
DeChiara volunteered and donated 12 new blankets. We will get a container and store them in the van in case of
no heat.
It was asked that you let your Adjutant know of any activities you may want to do this coming year. We need to do
more fun stuff.
The next chapter meeting is January 15, 2009 at 7:00pm.
Good of the order donations were $39.00.
A memorial service to departed Comrades was held at 3:25pm.
Meeting was adjourned at 3:30pm.