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President Levin called the meeting to order at 6:05PM, a quorum being present, and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Refreshments provided by Commissioner Wilkerson, celebrating his disabled veteran monetary claim.
ATTENDANCE – ROLL CALL
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present
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absent
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excused
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Wallace Levin
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x
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Robert Varni
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x
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Elbert “Bud” Wilson
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x
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Regalado Baldonado
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x
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Jill Buck
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x
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John Caldera
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x
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Veronika Cauley
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x
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Renie Champagne
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x
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George Gibbs
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x
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Chris Gruwell
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x
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James Guglielmoni
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x
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Michael Thompson
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x
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Edwin Wilkerson
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x
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Raymond Wong
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x
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Dara Wong
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x
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Wayne Snodgrass
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x
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Margaret Champagne
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x
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Fourteen (14) commissioners present, eight (8) commissioners required for quorum.
Acceptance for approval of December 1st, 2008 agenda. Motion by Commissioner Cauley, 2nd by Commissioner Champagne. Motion passed.
Acceptance for approval of the October 6th, 2008 minutes. Motion by Commissioner Cauley, 2nd by Commissioner Baldonado. Motion passed.
Acceptance for approval of the November 3rd, 2008 minutes, to be corrected before posting on website: motion by Commissioner Cauley, 2nd by Commissioner Dara Wong, with Commissioner Chris Gruwell abstaining. Motion passed.
The following committee reports were submitted:
PAST COMMISSIONER Ralph Gibson hospital visitation - veteran in distress, hospitalized at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, building 208 – Commissioner(s) Wong visited on November 10th, 2008, veteran Hermana Grant also greeted him. Commissioner(s) Gibbs- Thompson - Wilkerson also goes to visit.
NOMINATIONS for 2009 OFFICERS
1st read of nominations were held:
Commissioner Wilson presented the nominating committee of four (4) members’ recommendations:
Wallace Levin – President
Robert Varni – Vice President
Dara Wong - Secretary
Commissioner Cauley nominated herself for the office of President. No additional nominations for Vice President and Secretary, at this time. President Levin will reopen nominations at the January 5th, 2009 meeting, followed by election of officers.
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA – forwarded e-mail from Leo McArdle, followed-up by Commissioner(s) Wong, hope everyone can attend, which honors our nation's fallen armed forces members, and those still serving our country, by the laying of wreaths upon headstones:
Wreaths Across America http://www.wreaths-across-america.org/ ceremony
sponsored by the City & County of San Francisco Police Department & Fire Department, color guard detail, mounted police
San Francisco National Cemetery, Presidio
Saturday, December 13th, 2008 8:30AM – 9:45AM
http://www.wreaths-across-america.org/video.html December 14th, 2006 YouTube footage
President Levin asked for a motion supporting Wreaths Across America. Motion by Commissioner Wilson, 2nd by Commissioner Dara Wong. Motion passed.
HEALTH & WELFARE
Commissioner Cauley announced that volunteers will be needed at the
Project Homeless Connect 25
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
December 3rd, 2008
Commissioner Cauley was present, at hospice (palliative care) of a U.S. Army World War II veteran, who suffered a “good” death, among family members present.
Commissioner Cauley mentioned her likeness was used in an AIDS/suicide prevention poster posted in MUNI bus shelter.
Commissioner Varni discussed (1) traumatic brain injury (TBI) among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, an ongoing project of outreach to pursue; (2) relocate the World War I memorial in the Golden Gate Park, to War Memorial honor court oval. Commissioner Varni said, 20% TBI patients coming back from Iraq, U.S. Army leaving TBI problems to the Department of Veterans Affairs, everyone he spoke to, wants to help, largely understands need for medical intervention.
HOMELESS VETERANS
Commissioner Gibbs announced the following facilities http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/region.asp?ID=21 are still accepting clothing donations:
SFVAMC Downtown Clinic
401-3rd Street
San Francisco, CA 94107-1214
Commissioner(s) Gibbs and Wilkerson continually delivered donated clothing/items.
VETERANS EMPLOYMENT
Commissioner Thompson announced December 10th, 2008 planning meeting at the SVAMC Downtown Clinic, flyers sent to employers, event will be held on:
May 13th, 2009 10:00AM thru 2:00PM
18th annual San Francisco Job Fair
Fort Mason Conference Center
LEGISLATION EVALUATION
JROTC proposition V was passed 52% pro versus 48% against, advisory measure. SFUSD Norman Yee voted to take away PE credit. Insufficient number of SFUSD board members to overcome impact to students.
NATIONAL VETERANS GROUPS
Commissioner Guglielmoni mentioned he was (1) appointed one of the 2008-2009 DAV National Deputy Chief of Staff; (2) recently employed at Olivet Memorial Park, Colma, a poll was completed among the private and public cemeteries, one cemetery plot was available for veterans (County of San Mateo). DAV Harley’s Heroes tour http://www.dav.org/HarleysHeroes/MSOSchedule.aspx is a joint effort between the Harley-Davidson Foundation and the Disabled American Veterans, one part of tour was co-sponsored by Redwood Harley-Davidson, Eureka, CA motorcycle ride held on November 8th, 2008, event had 45-50 participants; the VA discourages people not to come to this event.
Commissioner(s) Wong mentioned burial site(s) are available at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, Santa Nella, and Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, near Dixon for veterans.
Commissioner(s) Wong participated in the flag raising ceremony and Veterans’ Day parade (Hayward, Alameda County), on November 11th, 2008 where Congresswoman Barbara Lee 9th District, California), Congressman Peter Stark (13th District, California, Hayward Mayor Michael Sweeney, various city council members/politicians actually marched, KCBS news anchor Stan Bunger was the parade’s announcer.
Commissioner Caldera mentioned the current AL issue about homeless veterans.
OLD BUSINESS
Commissioner Champagne thanked all commissioners for their cooperation for another successful Veterans’ Day parade event, held on November 9th, 2008. Commissioner Cadera complemented the parade organizers, well-organized, represented cross-section.
Commissioner Cadera extended an invitation all commissioner AL Post #315 holiday party, December 9th, 2008.
Commissioner Guglielmoni complemented Commissioner D. Wong for her active role in the auxiliary veterans’ service organization.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Commissioner Baldonado asked to be excused from the January 5th, 2009 meeting, will be in the Philippines.
Congratulations to Commissioner Gruwell for his 13-weeks old son.
Commissioner Varni announced American Legion national commander, will be in town, Thursday, December 11th, 2008 6:30PM $ 20.00 dinner reservation, with AL Department of California.
HONORS REPORT and ADJOURNMENT – Meeting adjourned in memory of the 4,700+ Americans killed in Iraq/Afghanistan, observing numerous veterans obituaries in the local newspapers.
