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VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMISSION
MINUTES OF AUG. 6, 2007 MEETING
Commission meeting was called to order at 6:10 p.m.
President Wilson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commission Meeting Agenda & Minutes of May 7th meeting were approved.
Commissioners present: Regalado Baldonado, John Caldera, Renie Champagne, George Gibbs, Cheryl Cook, Chris Gruwell, Wallace Levin, Michael Thompson, Robert Varni, Bud Wilson & Raymond Wong. Commissioners Jill Buck, Veronika Cauley, James Guglielmoni & Edwin Wilkerson were not present. Comm. Guglielmoni informed Bud that he could not attend the meeting because of family maters & Comm. Buck had a medical reason. They were excused. 11 present & 4 not present (2 Excused & 2 Absent). Margaret Champagne was also present.
PRESIDENTS REPORT-Comm. Wilson reported that Merlyn Wong informed him that they are waiting for the Navy to give them the word on moving the USS IOWA to Vallejo. He received a call from the daughter of a World War I veteran, who informed him that there is a fountain in Golden Gate Park. It is in poor shape. He suggested that we develop a list all of the Veterans Memorials in San Francisco & that this would be a good project for the Commission. Comm. Levin reported that Comm. Cook worked on a State project to compile a list a few years ago. Comm. Cook reported that there are many memorials here. Comm. Varni suggested that we form a committee to move this forward. It will be placed on the next agenda.
VICE PRESIDENTS REPORT-Comm. Levin reviewed the Mayor's plan to place a new flagpole on the corner of Polk & Grove. This is the official City flagpole & it will be dedicated to all San Franciscans killed while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States. He reviewed the Commission's need for a budget and that the letter should be sent to the Board requesting City financial support. Comm. Caldera asked about commission room use in the Veteran's Building. Comm. Levin reported that the Commission has had space in room 123 for over 23 years. It is available for use by any commissioner. Comm. Cook reviewed past efforts to get a budget for the Commission. Comm. Levin reported that we were lucky to have Deputy City Attorney Snodgrass assigned to this commission. He plays a major role in the City Attorney's Office & is part of many major cases.
COMMISSION GOALS & PLANS
Veterans City Education Loans/Grants Plan
Comm. Gruwell reported that he met with the Mayor's Office of Community Development & they support the plan for a Veteran's Assistance Program for first time benefits for veteran students. The Treasurer is willing to fund it, if we have a grantor. He has requested that Wells Fargo fill this role. Comm. Cook requested that the full plan should be in writing & that the Veterans Service Office should be part of this program. Comm. Gruwell reported that this plan is for education benefits only. Comm. Levin reported that Comm. Cook has run the County Veterans Service Office with skill & proficiency for over 12 years. It appears that some sections of our City government are not aware of this great & successful effort.
He commended Comm. Gruwell for his efforts to move this loan program forward.
COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE
Comm. Cook reported that the County Veterans Service Office is going to open another office at the Vets Center on Polk Street. They will be there one day a week. They now have 4 employees & they have office hours at Fort Miley. Comm. Cook passed out legislation reports pertaining to veterans for evaluation & future action.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS-Comm. Gibbs reported that he does veterans outreach at the City prisons. He reported a great increase in the jails of Iraq & Afghanistan veterans. They need help from the government & they are not getting that help.
HEALTH, WELFARE & EMPLOYMENT-Comm. Thompson reported that they are now planning for the 20th Job Fair in 2008. The response this year was only fair.
JROTC SUPPORT-Comm. Varni reported that he has not been informed of any support meetings being held during the past month. The Blue Angels will fly over the City this year during Fleet Week.
LEGISLATION EVALUATION-Comm. Levin reviewed the legislation HR3111, U.S. Rep. George Miler, D-Martinez's effort to make available to the public the Suisun Bay site of the Port Chicago Naval Base, where the largest World War II
stateside disaster occurred in 1944. 320 people were killed, the majority of which were African Americans. Motion of support by Comm. Levin, 2nd by Comm. Cook. Motion passed.
Comm. Baldonado reported that two bills H.R. 760 (House) & S. 1315 (Senate), would give Philippine Commonwealth soldiers, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II, the same benefits as other soldiers. They were promised these benefits. When the war ended the benefits were revoked.
NATIONAL VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS-Comm. Wong reported that District 15 will merge with District 14. Thus San Francisco & Alameda Counties will merge. None of the merges passed at the State Convention. The VFW Department of California has been sending inspectors to post meetings.
Comm. Caldera reported that he has moved to American Legion Bob Basker Post 315 & he is now the Commander. They will have a party for the late Bob Basker on Sep. 28th, room 223, Veterans Building, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. He would have been 89 this year. Comm. Levin was also a friend of Basker's & he presented his view of the history of Post 315.
Comm. Wong reported on the Oakland A's Salute to Veterans game. He suggested that the Commission contact the Giants about a future game to honor Veterans. It was suggested that Comm. Wong chair this event for the commission.
ADJOURNMENT-in memory of the 3,900+ Americans killed in Iraq/Afghanistan,
Those killed in World War II. Minutes submitted by Wallace Levin, 982-3417.
