Meeting Information

San Francisco Veterans Affairs Commission

2-5-01

Minutes of Feb. 5, 2001 Meeting of The Commission

1. The meeting was called to order be President Charles Coolidge.

2. Commisioners Veronika Cauley, Renie Champagne, Charles Coolidge, George Gibbs, Wallace Levin, Jim Lineberger, Elizabeth Melnik, CJ O’Mara, Glenn Raswyck, Edwin Wilkerson, were present. Also present were Wayne Snodgrass (City Attorney), Raymond wong (VFW District 15 Commander), Michael Thompson (Military Order of the Purple Heart), Mark Raymond Chandler (Alemeda County Veterans Affairs Commission). Special guests from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Ronald Hunt, Bobbie Rosenthal, Lucille Gibbs, and Kesa Thomas, were also present.

President Coolidge led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The agenda was approved unanimously.

The minutes of the Jan. 8, 2001 meeting were approved.

Department of Veterans Affairs: Ronald Hunt, VA Medical Center Marketing Director and Bobie Rosenthal, presented all of the many programs now available for veterans. The services include preventitive services, primary medical care, referrals to specialists, prescription refills, social work services and mental health and substance abuse treatment. Lucille Gibbs and Kesa Thomas reported on the Comprehensive Homeless Center program for women veterans, who are homeless. The program includes residential treatment, linkage to healthcare, housing information and emergency services.

The 91st Division flag: Wallace Levin reported that Mayor Willie Brown had invited representatives of the major veterans organizations, to meet him today, at 4:00pm. Renie Champagne and Raymond Wong for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Michale Thompson for the DAV and Order of the Purple Heart, Wallace Levin for the Jewish War Veterans, Edwin Wilkerson for the Veterans Affairs Commission and Nate Ratner for the Sons of the American Legion. Charles Oswald for the American Legion, had to cancel. Also present was Ryan Brooks, Director of Administrative Services and Eleanor Johns, Mayor Brown’s Chief of Staff. We told him of our concern that four months had passed and that nothing had been done to repair the case. That in fact, the Oakland Conservation Laboratory had not even started on the project. Mayor Brown promised that the glass case would be returned to City Hall and that the 91st Division flag would be inside the case. He gave Wallace Lebin and Nate Ratner permission to visit the case in Oakland and the flags at the Art Commisiion. He also said he would meet with veterans on other issues.

Battleship USS Iowa: Edwin Wilkerson reported that the USS Iowa will leave the east coast the first of March and will arrive in San Francisco during the third week of April 2001. The Port of San Francisco will make piers 30 and 32 available for a visit.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial: Mark Raymond Chandler spoke in support of Anna Marie Anger’s San francisco Vietnam Veterans Memeorial Project. Glen Raswyck moved that the San Francisco Vetrans Affairs Commission support Anna Marie Anger’s San francisco Vietnam Veterans Memorial Project. The motion was seconded by CJ O’Mara and the motion passed Unanimously. The Secretary will draft a letter for President Coolidge, which will be sent to Anna Marie Anger. Mark Chandler reported that they were meeting with Protocol Chief Charlotte Shultz, at the Mayor’s Office on Feb. 9th,. He invited members of the Commission to attend.

Commission Budget: Chairman Edwin Wilkerson, reported that the Mayor’s Budget Office had given the commission $1,000 for the rest of the year, ending June 30 2001.They requested a budget on how we were going to spend the money, prior to us getting the funds. He said he would present the budget to the Mayor’s Budget Office prior to the March 5th meeting of the commission.

Veterans Voting Rights: A leeter was sent from President Charles Coolidge, to the Board of Supervisors, asking them to evaluate how the San Francisco Elections Department handles military ballots. Also to support the efforts to improve military election procedures. That polling places on military bases be available to all military personnel and that military ballots be sent to their jurisdiction, with speed and efficiency.

Medal of Honor: President Charles Coolidge reported that a Medal of Honor exhibit will go on display in the Capitol Building, in Washington D.C. starting in May 2002. It will come to San francisco in May 2003, and that the Veterans Building lobby would be a good place for the display. Arch wilson is leading the charge and is working on this project. Arch Wilson has also reserved the Green Room for the After Veterans Day Parade 2001 veterans event. This is the first time we have had this room for a veterans event in years, maybe decades.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned in memory of Senator Alan Cranston, who warned America about the dangers of Hitler in the 1930’s and he was a great friend of veterans. Les Brown who made dozens of trips with Bob Hope to entertain the troops all over the world. Examiner reporter Edvins Beitiks, who wrote many moving reports about veterans. A recipient of 3 Purple Hearts, he served in the Army 1st Cavalry Division.

If you plan on making a report at our March 5th meeting, please give Secretary, Wallace Levin, the important facts of your report in writing.