2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 President Levin called the meeting to order at 6:05PM, a quorum being present. The meeting was held in honor of Past Commission President Elbert “Bud” Wilson. President Levin asked Gina Guglielmoni to lead the commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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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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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Thirteen (13) commissioners present, Jill Buck excused, eight (8) commissioners required for quorum. Wayne Snodgrass, Margaret Champagne, and Gina Guglielmoni were present.
Acceptance for approval of August 3rd, 2009 agenda. Motion by Commissioner Guglielmoni, 2nd by Commissioner Cauley. Motion passed.
Acceptance for approval of June 1st, 2009 minutes. Motion by Commissioner Cauley, 2nd by Commissioner Champagne. Motion passed.
Acceptance for approval of May 4th, 2009 minutes. Motion by Commissioner Caldera, 2nd by Commissioner Thompson. Motion passed.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT AND TRIBUTE TO BUD WILSON
President Levin paid tribute to Past Commission President Bud Wilson, who passed away suddenly on July 23, 2009. Bud was an U.S. Army Air Corps fighter pilot during World War II and also served in the Air Force during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He was a Command Pilot and he served all over the world. After a tour at the Pentagon he retired a Lieutenant Colonel after 25 years of service. He was awarded 17 medals, ribbons, citations, and awards. He was a distinguished veteran who never blew his own horn about his military accomplishments. Even though he had some health problems, he still served two years as commission vice president and then two years as president. During his time on the commission he only missed one meeting and that was because of an important family event. After his Air Force service he dedicated himself to public service and was a community leader in the West of Twin Peaks area of San Francisco. He was buried at the Sacramento Valley VA National Cemetery, Dixon with a USAF honor guard/taps.
The following committee reports were submitted:
REPORTS AND OTHER ACTION ITEMS
Motion by Commissioner Dara Wong, 2nd by Commissioner Raymond Wong to oppose the closing of the Acute Care Hospital, at the Veterans’ Home at Yountville. Motion passed with 11 commissioners for, and 2 abstentions.
Motion by Commissioner Caldera, 2nd by Commissioner Baldonado to support the Swords to Plowshares Veterans Employment Event at the War Memorial Veterans Building – Green Room on September 29th, 2009.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT – COMBAT STRESS PROJECT
Vice President Varni reported on his report to the Secretary of the Army:
Previous Six Months Contributions: I devoted the recent six months in developing an understanding of Combat Stress. Current estimates of troops returning with Combat Stress have risen to 400,000 since my report of six months ago.
My conclusion upon reviewing the data on Combat Stress is as follows: The available medical capabilities and services are very good. The research being done appears to be of benefit for future needs. The one weakness in the system is the outreach to those who need the help. Currently, the medical practitioners are required to do the outreach which erodes their time available to perform care requirements.
Next Six Months Goals: The goal is to connect the various groups interested in helping with the purpose of increasing efficiency and reducing duplication. We will start at the top of the food chain.
Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, we have developed the “retail” component of the national effort. We, the Action Team, operate with feet on the ground, face-to-face contact with the veterans. To manage the operation, we have developed a software package designed specifically for this application. This package developed for the San Francisco Bay Area can be considered as the prototype, and can easily be implemented in regions across the United States.
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VETERANS EMPLOYMENTCommissioner Thompson was just appointed to another term on the commission ending in 2012. He reported that unemployment is now 11.5%, but the claim count has gone down. The new GI bill started on August 1st, 2009. The veterans’ employment committee will meet on August 27th, 2009
HOMELESS VETERANS
Commissioner Gibbs reported on the November 10th, 2009 Veterans Connect event, at the
SFVAMC Downtown Clinic
401-3rd Street
San Francisco, CA 94107-1214
He is still collecting clothing for homeless veterans.
HEALTH AND WELFARE
Commissioner Guglielmoni had knee surgery at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, at Fort Miley, and he was impressed with their good care. Commissioner Gibbs also called the medical care that he received to be top flight at Fort Miley.
LEGISLATION EVALUATION
Commissioner R. Wong reported that the Governor is supporting education assistance for members of the California National Guard. He has been appointed to the California State Commanders Legislative Council. Some of the bills that are waiting to go to the Governor involve no or very little cost:
- SB 264 Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day (Paul Cook)
- SB 369 POW-MIA flags on state buildings (Abel Maldonado)
- AB 425 vehicle registration by deployed military personnel (Paul Cook)
- AB 1340 Special Absentee Voters (Bonnie Lowenthall)
- AB 1569 Physical Education (Mary Salas)
NATIONAL VETERANS GROUPS
Commissioner Caldera reported that the AL Post #315 will have a workshop on how to win the hard-to-win veterans administration claims. Ray Parish will be the speaker. The program will be held at the War Memorial Veterans Building on August 22nd, 2009.
Commissioner Guglielmoni was elected to the state DAV executive committee, during the DAV state convention.
WAR MEMORIAL VETERANS BUILDING
President Levin reported that Swords to Plowshares will open a veterans’ employment office on the 3rd floor of the War Memorial Veterans Building.
HONORS REPORT and ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner R. Wong read a prayer for Elbert “Bud” Wilson.
Meeting adjourned in memory of the 5,028 Americans killed in Iraq (4,305) and Afghanistan (723), the homeless veterans that died in San Francisco, and the veterans that died because of suicide during the months of June and July, and the below listed local veterans that recently passed away.
Allen Strutz, 91, World War II, Alameda County – Veterans Affairs Commission
Bok Pon, Cathay AL Post #384 Commander
Henry R. Cavagnolo, 89, U.S. Army Reserve, World War II
Robert C. Doney, retired CSM, 31 years military, bronze star, air medal, World War II, Korean conflict, Vietnam, 1st Sergeant special forces unit
John Francis Miller, 87, World War II, Distinguished Flying Cross
Major General Robert S. Holmes, U.S. Army retired
Gerald E. “Jerry” Gallagher, 95, U.S. Merchant Marine, World War II
The meeting adjourned at 7:34PM.
