Disabled American Veterans

Blind Veterans National Chapter #1

WEB SITE: http://www.davbvnc1.com/contents.htm

July/August 2015 Newsletter

Editor: Dennis O’Connell

Email address: bvnc1@optonline.net

 

 

"IF I CANNOT SPEAK GOOD OF MY COMRADE,

I WILL NOT SPEAK ILL OF HIM OR HER."

 

 

OFFICERS OF THE BLIND CHAPTER

 

Commander James Hogan (CA)

Phone 661 251 7870 email: ja2paroses@aol.com

Senior vice commander: Ron Lester (AZ)

1st Junior vice Commander David May (OH)

 2nd Junior vice Commander Leonard Pope (NJ)

3rd Vice Commander Dennis O’Connell (NY)

4th Junior vice Commander Robert Abshire (CO)

Judge Advocate Richard Bugbee (AZ)

Chaplain Rev. Tony Martino (IL),

Phone 847 736 2111, email: deaconmartino@gmail.com

(filling in for Tony to send cards, Dave May, cell: (330) 806-9910  

Email: dtm50@neo.rr.com)

Adjutant/Treasurer Paul Kaminsky (FL) (also webmaster),

Phone 904 291-0576, email: pkjax@kaminsky.com

Immediate Past Commander Carroll Prosser (SC)

 

 

PLEASE, if you know of any member who is sick or deceased inform one of the officers whose contact information is listed above ASAPP.

 

 

Please keep Carroll Prosser & Tony Martino in your prayers!

 

 

R I P

 

Jack Shapiro, Renton WA

Wilbert Vandenbos, Rock Valley, IA

 

 

CONVENTION  MESSAGE FROM ADJUTANT/TREASURER

 

The Disabled American Veterans held their National Convention in the mile high city of Denver, Colorado. An excellent event again topped off with the performance of Gary Sinise with his Lt. Dan Band on Sunday evening, but this year no special appearance from President Obama. 

Friday, August 7, 2015 the Blind Veterans National Chapter #1 annual reunion held its first business meeting at 9:00 am. At 4:00 pm the second business meeting was held.

Roll call of officers followed the opening invocation given by Ron Lester, and the Pledge led by Judge Advocate Dennis O’Connell. Officers present were Commander Prosser, Sr. Vice Jim Hogan, 3rd Jr. Vice Ron Lester, Judge Advocate Dennis O’Connell, Adjutant/Treasurer Paul Kaminsky. Delegates present were Carroll Prosser, Dennis O’Connell, James Hogan, Ron Lester. Alternate Delegates: Paul Kaminsky. Alternate Delegates excused were Tony Martino, Bill Burgess, Charles Brooks. Also in attendance was Bob Abshire (CO), Chuck Knapp (ID), Leonard Pope (NJ), Dave May (OH), and Karen Price (American Vet Dogs).

Following the reading and approval of the previous reunions meeting minutes, the Treasurer’s Report was given. Following is the brief summary of the annual treasury report:

DAV BLIND VETERANS NATIONAL CHAPTER #1, FINANCIAL REPORT

JULY 1, 2014 TO JUNE 30, 2015

Beginning Balance: $99,151.45

Income:

        Dues per Capita: $376.00

        Interest/Dividends: $67.03

        Donations: $9,651.00

Total Income: $10,094.03

Expenses:

        Convention (Stipends) (C&A Orientation) & (Mid-Winter: $10,917.12

        Postage, Office Supplies & Printing: $532.30

        Charitable Contributions: $19,195.00

        Other Expenses Includes:

Installation Breakfast,

         Caregiver Lunch,

         Bank Charges,

         Donor appreciation Award,

         Lapel Pins,

Total Other Expenses: $6,468.33

Total Expenses: $37,112.75

Ending Balance: $72,132.73

Checking Balance: $2,988.73

Savings Balance: $69,144.00

Ending & Total Bank Balances: $72,132.73   

 

Several business items were also discussed during the business meetings.  Noted was that for the third year in a row the Chapter had met its membership goal and received a fourth flag pendant from National Headquarters.

Commander Prosser assigned committee responsibilities to the Delegates and Alternate Delegates as were deemed necessary.

Convention Committee Assignments: Jim Hogan:  General Resolutions; Dennis O’Connell:  Legislation & Vet Benefits; Ron Lester: Nominations; Leonard Pope:  Constitution & Bylaws; Paul Kaminsky:  Credentials.  All Delegates and Alternate Delegates attended all assigned committee meetings and all convention business meetings.

The following individuals were elected to the noted office position:

Commander:   James Hogan (California)

Sr. Vice Commander:  Ron Lester (Arizona)

1st Jr. Vice Commander:  Dave May (Ohio)

2nd Jr. Vice Commander: Leonard Pope (New Jersey)

3rd Jr. Vice Commander:  Dennis O’Connell (New York)

4th Jr. Vice Commander: Bob Abshire (Colorado)

Judge Advocate:  Richard Bugbee (AZ)

Chaplin:  Rev. Anthony Martino (Wisconsin)

          All officers were installed Monday August 8, 2011 and the Chapter’s Installation Breakfast. Honored guest Past National Chaplin Charles Edwards conducted the oath of office services.

The closing event of the DAV National Convention was an evening where we attended the presentation of our new National Officers.  We then had a very nice dinner followed by entertainment. Plan next year to attend in Atlanta, GA from July 31 – August 3, 2016, Hyatt Regency Atlanta on Peachtree Street (265 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA  30303, Telephone: 1.888.421.1442 or 1.404.577.1234, Group Name:  Disabled American Veterans,  $125 Single/Double) and enjoy a terrific and well planned event. In closing we wish our newly elected DAV National Commander for 2015 – 2016, National Commander Moses A. McIntosh a most successful and productive year.

Hope to see you next year!!

 

 

VA-led Consortium Launches Brain Bank for Research on PTSD

 

VA News Releases

 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS    

 

 VA-led Consortium Launches Brain Bank for Research on PTSD

07/02/2015 11:17 AM EDT

 

A consortium led by the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has launched the first brain tissue biorepository (also known as a 'brain bank') - to support research on the causes, progression and treatment of PTSD affecting Veterans.  

 

 

FROM THE EDITOR

 

Let’s follow our new Commander Jim Hogan and work on getting new members to join the Blind Veterans National Chapter #1. We through around different ideas at our meeting in Denver, but if you have any suggestions on how to improve our membership, please let Jim know, or let me know at: bvnc1@optonline.net.

 

 

KEEP THE PROMISE

 

GOD BLESS AMERICA!