United Patriotic Bodies Meeting
22 Oct 07 Minutes

Present: Terry Richardson - Commander, Mitch Campbell, Jim Haukedahl, Bob Jacobson, Bob Long, Ron Matthews, Ed Milligan, David Rice, Jim Schlenker, Mark Wagemann, Wayne Wermager

Guest: Kim Anderson, Adjutant – ND Department of the American Legion

Meeting called to order at 1903 by Terry Richardson, Commander.

Commander Richardson reported Jan Jorgensen resigned the Secretary position due to health reasons. Commander Richardson nominated Wayne Wermager to replace Jan Jorgensen. Nomination was approved by a unanimous vote of the members. Wayne Wermager accepted the position.

The minutes of the 27 Aug 2007 meeting were e-mailed to members. Mark Wagemann made a motion, Jim Schlender seconded to approve the minutes as written. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Bob Long, Treasurer reported a beginning balance of $23,856.56 and an ending balance of $14,166.56 in the special account. Expenditures included $10,000.00 for the Veterans Memorial Bridge signs. The regular account balance is $4,272.65. Ed Milligan made a motion, Ron Matthews seconded to approve the Treasurer’s Report as written. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Veterans Memorial Bridge Signs – The templates are being made and the permit application has been submitted.

Honorflight III – Dave Rice said the flight leaves Fargo early morning on 02 Nov 07 and returns mid to late evening on 03 Nov 07. There will be welcome home festivities involving UPB color guard units and the 188th Army National Guard Band. Commander Richardson will call and/or e-mail all color guard units when specific times to form up are known.

Commander Richardson asked if we wanted to do the Veterans Memorial Bridge ceremony on Veterans Day again this year. Wayne Wermager made a motion, Jim Haukedahl seconded that we do the ceremony. Motion passed by a unanimous vote. The bridge ceremony will be at 1000 and we will form up for the Veterans Day parade immediately following. All veterans and the general public will be invited to the bridge ceremony.

New Business:
Randy Johnson with Minnesota State Community and Technical College will teach beginner and advanced computer classes at veterans clubs or at the college free of charge. The Commander stated clubs without Internet service can use gaming money to purchase wireless access if they do not already have it.

The Fargo VFW will hold an Auction on 03 Nov 07 at 1300. They will show the Vietnam video on 08 Nov 07 late afternoon or early evening. The VFW is going to send a ton of jerky overseas to troops again in 2007. This fundraiser brought in $14,000 in 2006.

Bob Jacobson indicated the cost for ASCAP license for music is $1490.00. Kim is going to check with the American Legion Department Judge Advocate if Posts/Clubs have to pay this fee. Bob also said there is a new homeless veteran’s representative at the VA. Bob suggested we check with Peggy Wheeldon about the Emergency Relief Assistance program for homeless veterans. Kim said there is homeless veteran’s assistance from the ND American Legion Department office.

The Commander passed around brochures on a Minnesota business assistance program for veterans.

Public Announcements for Vets Day:
Wreath ceremony on the Veterans Memorial Bridge at 1000. Parade forms up at the train depot at 1030. Band concert and program at Fargo Civic Center following the flag raising. West Fargo VFW will have a ceremony at their Post at 1100. Legion has stew, VFW Fargo and West Fargo has stew, and AMVETS has SOS.

Haukedahl – DAV 14th District is meeting at the Kelly Inn

Kim – Legion National Commander homecoming in Beach, ND. On 02 Nov 07 ND American Legion Department office will move to West Fargo.

Ed – Suggested we look into putting an airplane on a pole at each end of the Veterans Memorial Bridge. We will need to check with Roger Gress at the Park Board for assistance on how to do this. Mentioned we need to check to see who replaces the lights on the bridge.

The next UPB meeting is scheduled for 28 Jan 08 at the Fargo AMVETS at 1900.

Haukedahl made a motion and Rice seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Meeting adjourned at 1952.

Respectfully Submitted,
Wayne Wermager, President
Vietnam Veterans of America
Fargo, North Dakota