Amvets of Maine
Helping the Veterans of Maine
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MVCC
MVCC ROLL CALL
Chair Gary Laweryson P
1st Chair Kelley Wynne P
2nd Chair Alfred Michaud E
Secretary Myrtle Brown P
Treasurer Donald Linscott E
Chaplain Ed
MOPH 3
AMVETS 3
MCL 1
DAV 3
KWV 1
JWVA 0
VVA 1
WAVES 0
ALA 3
40/8 0
VFW 4
VFWA 2
MVCC Minutes for December 2011:
The meeting opened in form with Chair Gary Laweryson, presiding.
A moment of silence was observed.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
The Roll call was given.
A motion by Kelley and 2nd by George to accept the minutes as written all in favor.
Chuck P:
Spoke on the cases pending in the National & Togus database there are 800,000 nationally and it takes 212 days to complete cases. Togus has completed 3567 since September. The NEHMER cases are now straggling in. There are several
VIP cases that get handled quickly. The last count there were 750 cases to be completed. They have done 1000 cases since September they are doing the oldest claims first. The special claims get priority attention. He now has a dedicated computer in his area he can now do registrations in his area.
The (800) number is still not working properly. They hope to get it fixed.
The COLA for retirees is 2.6% across the board. The Jan.1 check will come prior to the holiday and there will be normal month to month they send out 21-2400 checks per month. They are brokering 9-1100 cases per month.
The new hires are now working the day shift.
Lorna :
She explained the Gift shop was a success and explained they could not do this without the VSO’s assistance.
Sunday all patients party @2 PM.
The VSO volunteers will meet in different areas and help with the parties in their
(2)
Neighborhood.
The VSO’s purchase gifts for the resident’s families and they can shop free of charge and have them wrapped and sent to the families.
The Canteen and Coupon books funds are getting low.
The beneficiary travel is changing they now receive a gas card of 20-25 dollars and these are needed badly in these denominations only.
Kelley Kash:
He explained the 70% legislation is at a critical point now and people should be contacting their reps in Washington as they are now in the Red Zone and ther are no guarantees it will pass. Sen. Burr wants to put it in a bill to clean up Camp LeJeune and should this happen and our bill fail it can be placed in F-914 admin or HR2074. The vets homes are forfeiting 94.00 a day with this situation and it is all the homes in the country not just Maine. Neither Washington or N.C will accept all that would like to get in. Both Sen’s. Snowe and Collins need to work on this issue. This problem has been worked on for 2-1/2 years, E-mails are great. The
original bill that caused the problem was started in 2006.
George stated we should put new people in Washington and Kelley said this might not be the best way to go.
In 2012 the homes are still growing. There will be a daycare center in L/A .
Bangor will have therapy dept. in 2012.
The multi purpose hall in Machias will be finished next year organizations will be able to use this area when complete.
The dining areas will be renovated into restaurant like atmospheres it will cost 2 million for the reno’s.
(3)
Peter Ogden:
He thanked all that participated in the wreaths across America. The Gov.Lepage’s wife is going with the Genl. In the convoy. They will place 220.000 in Arlington and they put wreaths in our cemeteries.
12/7:70th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor a ceremony will be held at the AMVETS in Ptld.
12/8/ Ocean Park, N.H. a ceremony.
12/13: Commander’s Call in the Cabinet Room
They are working with the Women’s Outreach program.
They are working on the last Plaque it will cover all the past wars including Cold War and Bosnia ,Grenada from WWII forward. This will give recognition to all that have not been recognized yet. It will also recognize all countries we have
been in. The deployment in Iraq is closing down. The Aide De Camp program will be discussed at Commander’s call. If the Post’s give the names of their women
Vets they can receive the coins that are due them.
Old Business:
N/a
Jim D:
He explained the clinic in L/a is progressing and they will get the keys later this month and it is due to open in mid-March. They are doing 3-No. now.
The travel reimbursement has been changed so that the veterans will utilize the local clinics and not drive way to Togus if not necessary. The Home town meeting will be held in Boothbay, Waldoboro & Damariscotta.
(4)
New Business:
The ECVB when they bring up the hospital side they should notify Gary and he will
bring it before the Board. It seems if you go to the emergency room for treatment that is all the treatment that will be given. The University of Va.
has some info on this. Japan has some info also. This is the biological warfare
for soldiers and families that had exposure during war and peace time.
It was pointed out that the RAN stations of the Coast Guard radiation can cause Cancer also for those involved.
It was stated that in Iraq 77% of the veterans were assaulted and 50% of the women were assaulted.
Motion to adjourn:
Next Meeting January 9,2012.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 P.M.
Respectfully:
Myrtle Brown,
Secretary.
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