Charlie Montgomery called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM in the Recreational Hall of St. Stephens Church, Culpeper, VA. All officers were present except Terry Steer and Jim Blount who had excused absences. Reverend Bob Floyd, VVA #682, gave the devotional. William Piercy led the delegates in the Pledge of Allegiance. Charlie requested a moment of silence for our missing and fallen comrades. Charlie assigned Steve Newsome, VVA #48, as the parliamentarian. George Corbett conducted a roll call of the delegates as follows:

VVA #48: Larry Burger. Steve Newsome
VVA #78: Bernie Lenart
VVA #81: Doug Burnette
VVA #196: Excused
VVA #227: Len Ignatowsk
VVA #433: No Delegates (Excused)
VVA #599: Norma Halley
VVA #614: Tom Riley, Karen Dempsey
VVA #617: Lester Lauber, Bob Pace
VVA #627: Alfred Lynch, Lewis Hawthorne
VVA #682: Gray Taylor, Bob Floyd
VVA #710: Frank Sayers, Bill Edwards
VVA #752: Sam Thompson, Bootie Smith
VVA #806: Jim Hogg
VVA #813: Jim Kitchell
VVA #840: William Stephens
VVA #917: Roy Jobber
VVA #936: Suspended
VVA #957: Excused
VVA #969: Mark Campbell

Sam Thompson, President, VVA #752, welcomed everyone to the meeting. Charlie introduced Gray Taylor, VVA #682 (Incarcerated). He presented Gray with the VVA Incarcerated Member of the Year Award. Gray provided the attendees with an overview of VVA #682 and it's programs. Charlie introduced Yolanda Deane, Director, The Compassion House. She gave a presentation on the project and asked for the VSC and VVA support. Sam Thompson motioned to support her project; Bootie Smith seconded; motion passed without objection. Yolanda presented Linda Thompson a bouquet of roses for her support of the project. Charlie introduced Carol Scott, Esq, who provided the attendees with an update on various legal issues affecting veterans. The delegates approved the agenda. Sam Thompson moved to suspend with reading of the May 2007 meeting minutes; Doug Burnette seconded; motion passed.

Finance: Edith Dresch went over the VSC financial status with the delegates. She noted that the VSC is in line with the projected budget at this time of the VSC fiscal year. Terry Haskins noted two requests for funds; VVA #710 and VVA #627. VVA #710 requested $500 to support the creation of a veteran's memorial in the Galax, VA area. The committee recommends $300 for this project. Delegates approved the $300. VVA #627 requested $200 to support a holiday project. The committee recommended approval. The delegates approved the request.
Incarcerated Veterans: No report.
Veteran's Benefits: Frank Sayers noted the VA Veterans Nursing Home benefit. It is known as Aid and Attendance and is not well known by veterans. He noted the qualifications for this benefit. Carol Scott, Esq, spoke on several veterans benefits issues.
Government Affairs: George Corbett reported on the various pieces of veteran related information received from the VVA National Office and other sources.
Minority Affairs: No report.
POW/MIA/Veterans Initiative: No report. Doug Perkins is out of the area. Charlie asked for anyone who might want to take over this committee. Mark Campbell indicated he would like to do that.
Community Services: George Corbett reported on the many projects and programs by VVA chapters in Virginia. He noted the VSC website and its photo gallery for posting chapter and VSC events around Virginia.
Agent Orange: No report.
Veteran's Initiative: Charlie Montgomery noted that the Veterans Initiative committee would now fall under the POW/MIA committee.
Newspaper: Nancy Montgomery
AVVA Representative: VSC AVVA will meet after the morning break in an adjacent room.
Constitution/By-Laws: Charlie Montgomery spoke on a resolution at the VVA National Convention to add non-Vietnam veterans to the VVA. It was voted down at the convention. He noted that the submission of annual election reports is now mandatory or chapters will be suspended by the VVA.
Membership: Charlie Montgomery noted 1,685 VVA members in Virginia. He noted a chapter forming in Louisa, Virginia. He noted a new membership directory coming out of the national office. It will be on a compact disc. Sam Thompson had no report from the membership task force.
ETABO: Larry Burger reported on a small business loan initiative, Patriot Express Pilot initiative. He reported on a job opportunity with the IRS as an IRS agent. There are several areas within Virginia open for this job listing.
Public Affairs: Charlie Montgomery noted the 25th Anniversary of the Vietnam Memorial and planned events on 10 November 2007 in Washington, DC.
Fund Raising: Charlie Montgomery spoke on a can for donations program. The program involves placing VVA cans in stores for donations by patrons. It was attempted several years ago with some success.
Veterans Affairs: VA is opening seven new Vet Centers in the USA.
Regional Liaison: Charlie noted that he would assign four new regional liaisons at the VSC December meeting.
Women Veterans: No report.
Homeless Veterans: No report.

Charlie Montgomery noted one scholarship was awarded by the VSC.

Edith Dresch reported on the Household Goods Donation Program. All but one chapter will receive their HGDP checks today.

George Corbett noted that four chapters had not submitted an up-to-date VSC Telephone/Directory report and he needs this in order to update the directory.

Charlie Montgomery reported on the VVA National Convention. Sam Thompson opined if the campout could be held during a cooler weather month.

Charlie Montgomery reported on the annual VSC Campout at Lake Sherando.

Charlie Montgomery reiterated the upcoming 25th Anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on 10 November 2007 in Washington, DC. A parade and number of events is planned for this event.

Len Ignatowski spoke on the DMZ-To-Delta Dance hosted by VVA #227 on 10 November 2007.

George Corbett reported on the upcoming NHRA event on 6 October 2007 at the Virginia Motorsports Park, Dinwiddie, VA. There is a racecar driven by Melanie Troxel that advertises and promotes the VVA. Local VVA chapters will be represented at this event.

George Corbett briefed delegates on the VA Volunteer Services (VAVS) Program. He noted the many things done by volunteers that greatly assist the VA Medical Centers. He urged all to consider becoming involved with the program. Charlie Montgomery echoed his comments.

Charlie Montgomery discussed the 2008 VSC calendar. The tentative dates and hosts for the VSC meetings are: 5-7 December/VVA #969; 19-21 September/VVA #614; 20-22 June/VVA #81; 7-9 March/VVA #840. These dates/hosts will be confirmed at the VSC December 2007 meeting. The VVA Leadership Conference is 16-20 July in Greenville, SC. The VSC Campout will be 1-3 August.

Larry Burger spoke on items needed by the Fisher House. This house provides lodging for family members visiting loved ones at military medical facilities.

George Corbett noted that there would be a grand opening of a 160 bed Veterans Care Center at the Richmond VAMC Campus on 26 September 2007 at 1:00 PM.

Terry Haskins noted that TET 68 reunions have been revamped to be hosted by the Navy Seabees Association and will be held in Hampton, VA from 22-24 February 2008.

The next VSC meeting is in Virginia Beach, VA 30 November – 2 December 2007 at the Virginia Beach Resort and Conference Center. VVA #48 will host this meeting. There will be a Holiday Party at a local American Legion post on Saturday evening. Make your reservations by 8 November. The hotel's phone number is (757) 481-9000.

Charlie Montgomery presented Ginger Harvey with a $300 check to support her attendance to a veterans stand down in Nashville, TN. She will be singing to the veterans at this event.

Charlie presented several checks from VVVA, Inc (Red Book) to be used to assist fellow veterans and their families. He also noted a $500 donation to the Compassion House and a $2000 donation to support the VVA parade during the Veterans Day events in Washington, DC from the VVVA, Inc.

Charlie adjourned the meeting at 2:55 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

George Corbett
Recording Secretary
VVA Virginia State Council

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