March Meeting Brief

Chapter 5 Meeting After Action Keeping Our Members in the know!!!

At our meeting on Saturday March 16th, we discussed an abundance of key topics. For those that attended and those unable to, this is a brief summary of the meeting. We broke a record for the number of members attending the meeting. Thank you to all who attended and to those members who attended the wedding reception for DAVA Junior member Katie Jo Gonzalez (Ector).

What we did/discussed this month:

• I thank all members who attended the meeting
• We had approximately 87 members attending
• The minutes from the February meeting were amended and passed
• New members, Transfers, Guests
  • We had a guest speaker. Becky Bays from Neurolumen
  • The chapter welcomed 9 first-time attendees
  • We voted on 2 Transfers to our family
  • We look forward to you becoming active in the chapter’s activities
• Chapter Service Officer (CSO) – National Service Officer (NSO)
  • Introduced the National Service Officers that were present
  • Mentioned how the claims process is changing
  • Our NSO office at Frank Tejeda covers the area of Texas within the 78 Zip-Code. There are approximately 90,000 veterans in this area.
  • Vietnam Blue Water Navy veterans are encouraged to file for Agent Orange related issues  
  • Please pass the word about the Chapter Claims Assistance Offices.
• Committees:
  • Membership:
    • We still need approximately 25 new members
    • Thank you for all your hard work
  • VG Clark Cancer Trust
    • No new news
  • VAVS (VA Volunteer Services)
    • Bingo March 24^th Legend Oaks West Nursing Home
      • 1400-1600 hours
      • 222 Bertetti Rd SATX 7822
    • The National VAVS conventions for 2020 & 2021 will be held here in San Antonio
    • Al Owens was selling VAVS Fiesta medals
  • Legislative:
    • If you were part of the Blue Water Navy, you may put a claim in for possible Agent Orange and Asbestos related issues
    • HR 444 is being circulated to eliminate the 12-year rule/limit for using of Voc Rehab HR 444 Click Here
    • Discussed Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act HR 553
  • PAO:
    • Mentioned the funeral for the wife of MOH recipient Roy Benavidez
      • Thursday Mar 21^st @0930 Ft Sam Cemetery. Shelter is not known
    • Mentioned cell phone security
    • Fr Sam Cemetery has a new director
    • Vietnam veterans pinning ceremony at the PTSD Foundation
      • Thursday Mar 29^th 1000-12000
    • 14747 Jones Maltsberger Rd Bldg 500
  • Miscellaneous:
    • There will be no meeting in June
      • Department Convention in Corpus Christi
    • The chapter budget will need to be voted on during the May meeting
    • Elected members for the Nomination Committee
      • Wayne Lund (wlundlrrp_ranger@hotmail.com)
      • Len Arroyo (lrarroyo7@gmail.com)
      • Cynthia Spencer (cspencer11@satx.rr.com)
    • Elections will be held in May
      • Any may run for any office
    • Community Living Center Bingo
      • April 6th at 1400 hours
    • Recognized chapter members that attended the Kryisch funeral/CLC Bingo/and observed the CSO’s
    • Recognized Sgt at Arms Luis Baez with his 50-hour volunteer pin
    • Members were reminded not to wear DAV apparel during political activities
    • The PenFed Foundation provides support veterans with financial hardships
    • We were presented a donation from the Auxiliary of VFW post 8800 in Sattler, TX
    • Special recognition to Member Jim Davis.
      • Turns 86 and was an instrumental member in the start of the chapter
    • BAMC is now providing Shingles shots
      • 3^rd floor Immunization Clinic
      • 2 shot series
      • Several area locations (if they have the serum)
        • Walmart, Walgreens, HEB
      • 50/50 drawing was won by Francisco Carranza.
        • The monthly money goes toward offsetting the cost of the December Christmas banquet at Golden Corral
      • DAV cap was won by Jeffery Berg
    • Johnny Escobedo won a t-shirt from Neurolumen
    • Happy birthday to all March birthdays

• Auxiliary member Marie Scott is in BAMC
• Joseph Harrison Jr wife was at the BAMC with chest issues
  • Is now at home
• Marcia Smith’s mother is on Hospice
• Alex Sullivan is having severe shoulder issues
• Jim Letexier had a triple hernia operation
• Bobert Broff will be having tongue cancer pre-op on Mar 20^th with Surgery TBD
• If you know of any chapter member under the weather, please let one of our chaplains/officers know so we may visit and check on them
• Please keep all our members and veterans in harm’s way in our prayers
• Chaplain Graham contact information:
  • (210) 998-9086
  • ronnbetty@gmail.com

• Legend Oaks West Bingo
  • Sunday, March 24th
  • Legend West Nursing Home
  • 222 Bertetti, San Antonio, TX 78227
  • 1400-1600 hours
• Good Samaritan Veterans Outreach & Transition Center VA Claims Assistance Office
  • Wednesday, March 27th
  • Good Samaritan Veterans Outreach & Transition Center
  • 202 Connelly St, San Antonio, TX 78203
  • 1000-1400 hours
• Memorial High School JROTC Awards Ceremony
  • Thursday, Apr 28^th
  • Memorial High School
  • Memorial Street, San Antonio, TX 78228
  • 1800 hours
• UTSA VA Claims Assistance Office
  • Tuesday, Apr 2^nd
  • John Peace Library JPL Room 4.03.04
  • 1 UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249
  • 1300-1700 hours
• WBU VA Claims Assistance Office
  • Thursday, Apr 4^th
  • Wayland Baptist University main campus (Room #107)
  • 11550 Interstate 35 Frontage Rd, San Antonio, TX 78233
  • 1300-1700 hours
• CLC Bingo
  • Sat Apr 6^th
  • Community Living Center (2^nd Floor Recreation Center)
  • Audie Murphy VA Hospital
  • 7400 Merton Minter, San Antonio, TX 78229
  • 1400-1600 hours
  • Volunteers greatly appreciated. Any amount of time you may provide would be great.
• PTSD Foundation of America (San Antonio) VA Claims Assistance Office
  • Tuesday, Apr 9^th
  • PTSD Foundation of America
  • 14747 Jones Maltsberger Rd. Bldg 500, San Antonio, TX 78232
  • 1000-1400 hours
  • VA Benefits 101 Seminar at 1400
• Next Chapter Meeting
  • Saturday Apr 20^th  
  • Rolling Oaks Baptist Church
  • 6401 Wenzel Rd, SATX 78233
  • 0930 hours for Coffee and donuts
  • Meeting at 1000 hours
• Good Samaritan Veterans Outreach & Transition Center VA Claims Assistance Office
  • Wednesday, Apr 24th
  • Good Samaritan Veterans Outreach & Transition Center
  • 202 Connelly St, San Antonio, TX 78203
  • 1000-1400 hours
• Lee High School JROTC Awards Ceremony
  • Thursday, Apr 25^th
  • Lee High School
  • 1400 Jackson Keller, San Antonio, TX 78213
  • 1800 hours
• Pearsall High School JROTC Awards Ceremony
  • Thursday, Apr 25^th
  • Pearsall High School
  • 31 Berry Ranch Rd, Pearsall, TX 78061
  • 1800 hours

I would like to thank everyone who attended the Meeting on Saturday.  I hope this provides more information to those who were there.  For those who were not in attendance, it was another great meeting, fellowship and good food.