UNITED PATRIOTIC BODIES
22 JANUARY 2007

Meeting started at 1900 with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Commander Richardson.

Those present: Keith Kerbaugh, Phil Woods, Ed Milligan, Dave Rice, Bob Jacobson, Frank Anderson, Mitch Campbell, Terry Richardson, Wayne Ellefson, Jan Jorgensen, Bob Hanson, Wally Buckingham, and Wayne Wermager.

Guests Les Bakke from MSUM and Naomi Marchand for the Veteran’s Oral History Project.

Minutes from last meeting: motion made by Ed Milligan, seconded by Wayne Ellefson, motion carried to accept them.

Les Bakke spoke: WWII veterans are identified from MT, SD, ND, MN. Any veteran that has a story to tell will be interviewed, taped, then their biography will be put on website. Interviewers that are older seem to do much better job than young college students.

“We have found a couple of interviewers, pay $25 per interview- it’s a lot of work-contact vet, forms filled out, interview, tape the veteran, then get paperwork back to Les Bakke. Right now they have only 1 recording device that belongs to Heritage Center, It would be so helpful to have more than one. $200.00 is cost of recording device. An endorsement from the UPB would really help. Individual donations or group go through MSUM Foundation. Tax deductible 501C3- federal. A letter is sent to you once MSUM receives the donation which you can use for tax purposes.

Naomi spoke- works for Hanson-Runsvold. 5 years ago Sen. Dorgan had allocated money for this project through the ND State Historical Society, money ran out last year. Interviews done at that time were sent to the Library of Congress.   Bob Miller of Casselton is working through the Fargo Air Museum videotaping WWII veterans.  A location is vital for all this to have a central place, one contact person, and one place to archive them instead of several places. Getting grant money might be easier if this is the case. Veterans are getting confused as they hear one project here and then another somewhere else is recording the histories.  “Remind the public once a year that this project is still going on.”

Jack and Sandy from KFGO, once a week will have a Vet of the Week on their radio show. www.vetoftheweek.org  Wayne Wermager of VVA mentioned that his chapter is recording the stories for all veterans. He set up a booth at the FAM during Vietnam Week to get the names.  David Rice asked where we can find the web space for the stories of these veterans.   Cdr. Richardson suggests we have some literature to send out. Les passed out the “Oral History Agreement Form” that must be signed before anything can be done. Form comes from the Historical Repository administered by MSUM.  Les is willing to speak to any group who is interested in getting lots of information about this wonderful project.  Places that might donate-banks
Tristateveterans website would be an excellent place to advertise.  Les Bakke can be reached at bakke@mnstate.edu

Treasurer report: UPB regular account: $4572.65
Special account: $6352.30
Motion to approve: Milligan, second by Ellefson. Motion carried.

Teamsters are giving $10,000 for bridge
New members: Frank Anderson, Moorhead American Legion
Butch Anton- thinks he can beat bid price of $23,000
$23,000 sign place out of Minot still in.
8 November- 100 tickets are still out, unaccounted for. Bob Jacobson brought in 10 tickets. Russell Stabler may have tickets still out.  Please encourage folks to bring in unsold tickets. D.J. Malm won the guitar.

Veteran’s Day activities reviewed. WF went well; Fargo- Wayne Wermager- thought the ceremony on the bridge went well. “We won’t buy a real flower wreath again.” No need to spend $50.00. Fargo American Legion has good pictures on the UPB web page, Ceremonies in Civic Center went very well.

NEW BUSINESS- Chapter of the Eastern Star of Moorhead, Chapter 164 wants to donate to the bridge.

Red Hawks Military Appreciation Night.19 June 2007. Jerseys- live auction generates lots more money instead of the silent auction. Cost for jerseys for baseball team would run about $1500. Desert camo jerseys were picked for this year’s auction.  Keith made a motion for particular jerseys to be bought, Milligan seconded, motion carried.  Motion made-Ed Milligan, seconded by Phil Woods. Motion carried to auction off jerseys, and to have 19 June 2007 locked in for the date.  Raffle at the baseball game-checking into cost of permit for the program.

HONOR FLIGHT-WWII- Teamsters have given $5,000.00 for trip. WF VFW gave $5,000.00. It was mentioned that a letter will be sent out regarding changes in dates for trip, health issues to be addressed by escorts and veterans, and cost of trip for escorts. Viewing area for WDAY is region from which WWII veterans are considered for trip. This does not include Bismarck. Local funds are being collected for this local group of veterans.

VETERANS PARK- in North Fargo, behind New Horizon’s Manor. Part of it is owned by Park Division, Nice to call park Veteran’s Park. UPB –tabled
 

Ed Milligan spoke about the “old timer”, Frank Pernell, who calls in to KFGO radio.he is a Vietnam Vet, exposed to Agent Orange, with a daughter named Georgie Pernell. She is currently in S. Meritcare Hospital on University. She needs visitors!! Drop in to see her. She is 36 years old. She is scared, bored and has not got much of a future. Her father lives in Thief River Falls. Please go visit her.

Veteran’s Commissioner Bob Hanson- things are moving fast at the Legislature- funeral protest bill soon to be passed. Property tax deduction for any disabled vet 50% and above.  Bonus not distributed equally in the state-only Guard and Reserve get the bonus.  National Guard wants to give bonus to folks who are from out of state who serve in our Guard. $100.00 if you served in “theater.”  Equity Bonus Bill- everybody get treated equally.  A disabled veteran can get a license plate $5.00.  If your newly purchased vehicle is over 10,000 pounds, and you are 100% disabled veteran the sales tax cannot be waived due to weight of vehicle. Must be under that.

Club operations- next month all the clubs are going to receive notice to increase price of beer and liquor. Get club managers and commanders together-to discuss the wholesale price increase coming, talk about compliance checks.

Dave Rice- talked about those of us that came to the Naval Reserve retirement ceremony in December including Cdr. Haukedahl, DAV, Cdr. Jorgensen, AMVETS, Wally Lueck, Fargo American Legion, and Bob Jacobson, representing the United Patriotic Bodies, it was good for the veteran’s organizations.

Jan is now officially the secretary as voted on by body of UPB members.

Next meeting- 26 March 2007
Where- American Legion
Time-1900
Motion to adjourn- Milligan motion- Rice seconded, passed.
Adjourned 2006