Sep/Oct 2012 - Korean War Veterans Association

BUSINESS
• He commented that the Association’s new administration has
gotten off to a very good start. We need to give a big thank you
to Past President Mac Swain. We have accomplished a lot in the
past four years. We received our Charter and put ourselves in
good shape financially.
n Larry then presented Past President Mac Swain with a laser
range finder that takes one right to the pin when playing golf,
and a dozen golf balls.
n Yesterday evening there was a meeting of the standing committee
chairman and a few of the new appointed officials and
officers. The purpose of that meeting was to improve communications;
it was very successful. Larry agreed to put together a bimonthly
report with information to pass on to the Board
Remarks by Col. Wiedhahn:
n Col. Wiedhahn announced that the Ambassador and the
Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, contrary to previous
plans, were going to set up a wreath-laying ceremony at our
memorial today, which would require that the Board meeting be
over by that time. Immediately following those ceremonies,
there would be a reception at Capitol Hill.
n Request from Charles Smith to be reinstated in the
Association:
• Secretary Cohee read a letter that had been sent to him by
Charles Smith requesting reinstatement in the Association. Mr.
Smith was expelled from the Association several years ago
because of some derogatory remarks that he made not only
against the Association but also against some of the Directors.
• Director McHugh made a motion that the request be denied; it
was seconded by Director Brown and passed unanimously.
n Request ratification of the Business without a Meeting: add
the immediate Past President as an Advisor to the new President
and to approve Robert Mitchell as the KWVA Liaison to the
Korean War National Museum.
• Director Brown made a motion to approve the ratification. It
was seconded by Director McHugh and passed unanimously.
n Request to approve a change to the bylaws to add a legacy of
life membership provision:
• Past President Mac Swain commented that this would require
a change to the charter that requires approval by Congress.
• Director Griffith made a motion that the request be denied. The
motion was seconded by Director McHugh and approved without
objection.
n Approval to destroy ballots for 2012 Election:
• A motion was made by Director Brown to destroy the 2012 ballots.
It was seconded by Director Lawhon and was approved
without opposition.
n Discuss and approve proposed location for a Board Meeting
in 2013 and a General Membership Meeting for 2014:
• President Ferris recommended that we have a one-day Board
Meeting in Syracuse, NY on March 13, 2013.
• A motion was made by Director McHugh that a Board Meeting
be held in Syracuse, NY on March 13, 2013. The motion was
seconded by Director Brown and passed without objection.
n 1st Vice President Kinard read a letter from Director Dappen
recommending Rapid City, South Dakota for the General
Membership Meeting in 2014.
• It was then pointed out that there are two more proposals to
have the 2014 meeting. One was for Rochester, MN and the
other one for Knoxville, TN.
• Director McHugh commented that since there are three proposals
to have the meeting in 2014 there would not be enough
time for the board members to read them, so he made a recommendation
that the proposals be presented to the board members
as a meeting without a meeting.
• Director McHugh made that a motion. It was seconded by
Director Griffith and was passed without objection.
Discussion and request for approval to provide support for the
planning and erection of a memorial in the DC area to honor
the Korean Service Veterans:
• 1st Vice President Kinard handed out some pictures of such a
memorial erected in Yongsan, South Korea. It was erected by the
South Korean government to honor those who have served in
Korea since the armistice was signed. The action to be accomplished
today is to request Board approval to begin necessary
action to publicize to the KWVA membership and the appropriate
government officials that the KWVA strongly recommends
and supports building of such a monument. If approved, past
Director Brodeur should be appointed Chairman of a committee
charged with developing the scope and funding method for the
project. The committee will be expected to report on its progress
at the October 2012 Board and Membership Meeting.
• 1st Vice President Kinard then made a motion that past
Director Brodeur be appointed Chairman of the Korea
DMZ/Korea Defense Service Memorial Committee and charged
with developing the scope and funding methods for the project.
The motion was seconded by Director Fountain and passed
without objection.
n At this point President Ferris asked Col Weber to come forward
and speak to the group.
He spoke about the proposed bill, H. R. 2563, that is now in
Congress. If it is approved, a Wall of Remembrance will be built
at the Korean War Memorial on which will be listed all the
names of the fallen.
When the Col was asked if he thought the proposed Defense
Service Veterans Memorial would hinder what he is trying to do,
he replied that while he supports the Korean Defense Veterans,
there would be too many things in the pot right now. Let’s get
H.R. 2563 passed first.
n Director Lawhon had submitted five agenda action items that
had been recommended by our webmaster, Jim Doppelhammer.
They were numbered GEL 1-5. Action was taken on GEL 1,
which was a Request for Approval to raise Associate Member
dues to $25.00 a year:
• Director Lawhon made a motion that the request to raise the
Associate Member dues be approved. It was seconded by
Director Dappen. The motion failed to pass.
• Director Griffith questioned why these items were not brought
up by the membership committee. Since they had not been
reviewed by that committee, it was decided that no action would
be taken on items GEL2-5 at this time. The items will be
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The Graybeards September - October 2012