Meeting Information

City & County of San Francisco

Veterans Affairs Commission

minutes of September 14^th, 2009 meeting

(415) 554-6036

President Levin called the meeting to order at 6:20PM, a quorum being present.  President Levin led the Pledge of Allegiance.  The meeting was held in honor of Charles “Corky” Reed and Fred Gomez, two Commissioners that passed away during the same week in September 2006.

ATTENDANCE – ROLL CALL

Eight (8) commissioners present, six (6) commissioners excused, eight (8) commissioners required for quorum.  Margaret Champagne, Matt Shea (AL Post #911 Commander), Michael Gerold (ALWMC Chairman) were present.

Acceptance for approval of September 14, 2009 agenda.  Motion by Commissioner Caldera, 2^nd by Commissioner Champagne.  Motion passed.

Acceptance for approval of August 3, 2009 minutes.  Motion by Commissioner Cauley, 2^nd by Commissioner Thompson.  Motion passed.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Michael Gerold reported that there would be a picnic at the Palo Alto VA hospital in about 4 weeks, and another picnic at the San Francisco VA hospital at Fort Miley.  Matt Shea reported that AL Post #911 was supporting a disabled veterans’ bicycle ride to Los Angeles in October.

The following committee reports were submitted:

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Dinner for Man J. Kim

President Levin reported that Man J. Kim, who has had many dinners in honor of Korean War Veterans, at his Powell Street restaurant “Sears Fine Foods”.  He also operates the Lori’s Diner chain.  He was to be honored for his service to veterans on September 23, 2009, at the Marines’ Memorial Club.

World War II Japanese War Dead

The media had a field day reporting that the University of California at Berkeley had a collection of Japanese World War II military or civilian bones from the island Saipan.  Everyone appears to agree that they should be return to the government of Japan.

Swords to Plowshares will open a Veterans Employment Office, on the 3^rd floor of the War Memorial Veterans Building in September.  They are renting the space from the War Memorial Board of Trustees.

NATIONAL VETERANS GROUPS

Commissioner Caldera reported that his AL Post #315 has been put on probation by the AL District #8 leadership two times this year and that they have filed charges against the AL District #8.  They recently had a meeting with the AL Department Commander, and they have another meeting later this month.  He requested that we table his report until next month.  President Levin reminded everyone that the Veterans Affairs Commission has no authority over the American Legion, and that Commissioner Caldera’s report was for information only.

VETERANS EMPLOYMENT

Commissioner Thompson reported that the Veterans Employment Committee will have a meeting on September 16, 2009 at the

SFVAMC Downtown Clinic

401-3^rd Street

San Francisco, CA 94107-1214

He also reported that Swords to Plowshares has a great training program underway for veterans.

LEGISLATION EVALUATION

Commissioner R.  Wong forwarded to the commission copies of a VFW Legislative Alert: Save the Women’s Health Care Bill S.252 which passed the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee earlier this year, was stuck in the U.S. Senate.  The U.S. Senate needed a push to approve this bill before the end of the session.  Everyone was urged to contact their U.S. Senators to urge them to support this critical bill.

POW-MIA – Keith Phillips who got the commission to pass the resolution urging the government to do more to locate those missing in action.  He sent us information on his effort to get our federally elected officials to increase the funds for recovery efforts in the Defense Authorization bill.  He requested that we e-mail him our support on his website.

WAR MEMORIAL VETERANS BUILDING

The AL District #8, the ALWMC, and War Memorial Board of Trustees did not meeting during the month of August.  The War Memorial Trustees did meet on September 10, 2009.  The only item on their agenda pertaining to veterans was that the Trustees gave the ALWMC one more month to resolve the expired financial agreement between the ALWMC and the Trustees.  The agreement expired on December 31, 2008 and the Trustees have given the ALWMC three (3), three-month extension (9 months) to resolve this issue.  The Trustees have continued to the ALWMC $ 2,500.00 per month, which was the amount paid in 2008.  This agreement started in 1977, when the ALWMC gave up the Veterans Auditorium (Herbst Theatre) and the Green Room.  The Trustees gave the ALWMC $ 35,000.00 for 4 years.  After that the contract was renewed every two years except in 2004 and in 2009.  They have a meeting in September and we can only hope this important issue is resolved.

NEW BUSINESS

Commissioner Champagne reported that the Veterans Day Parade will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2009 starting at 11:00AM, from 2^nd Street and Market Street, going up Market Street to the City Hall reviewing stand.  The parade forms will be distributed.

HONORS REPORT and ADJOURNMENT

Meeting adjourned in memory of the 5,130 Americans killed in Iraq (4,326) and Afghanistan (804), the homeless veterans that died in San Francisco, and the veterans that died because of suicide during August.