1. The American Legion Post 176 General Membership Meeting was called to order at 1930 on 3 April 2007, with Commander Taborek presiding.

a. The vice Adjutant called roll. All officers were present with the exception of Adjutant Landry; 1^st Vice Commander Stone was excused.

b. In accordance with the motion carried at the 5 Sep 06 General Membership Meeting, minutes of the previous meeting will be published on the Post Web site.

c. Commander Taborek introduced Mr. Robert White from the Dept. of Veterans’ Affairs. Mr. White works at the VA offices in Alexandria and in Fairfax. He addressed the following comments to the membership regarding veterans’ benefits, pensions, and hospital services:

1.) In 2003, Virginia was home to over 755,000 veterans; they account for approximately 10% of Virginia’s total population and work force.

2.) Entitlements for eligible veterans include home loan guarantees, educational benefits, vocational rehabilitation and employment services, medical and dental care, compensation and pension, long term care, burial and memorial services, insurance benefits, survivors’ and dependents’ benefits, and veterans’ claims assistance.

3.) Disability benefits can be awarded in addition to military retirement or pension. Pensions are taxable income, but VA disability compensation is tax free (Service-awarded disability is not). An eligible veteran can collect disability both from the military and the VA, but the veteran needs to be briefed on how these work together and on potential impacts to employment.

4.) Each VA benefit has its own eligibility requirements, but some of the more common conditions are death, stroke, heart attack, chronic and persistent illness, and presumptive illnesses from the Gulf War and Viet Nam, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

5.) For more information or assistance with claims, Mr. White can be reached at 703-813-1374 (Alexandria Office) or 703-803-1139 (Fairfax Office). For more information and links to regional offices, visit the VA Web site at www.va.gov.

2. Following the guest speaker, a flag flown over Iraq was presented to the Post by Allison Hoopes, the spouse of a deployed soldier (Allison is a member of the Post). Commander Taborek accepted the flag on behalf of Post 176.

3. Committee Reports were as follows:

a. Commander Taborek gave the following report for the 1^st Vice Commander:

1.) Membership Committee: Four new and eight transfer candidates were presented for membership this evening. The names were read and approved in block. The Post is now at 91.4% of the Legion Year 2007 membership goal.

2.) Ways and Means Committee: Steak and lobster night is Friday, 20 Apr. Cost is $16 a person. The Friday night dinners are scheduled every week from 5:30-8:30 PM.

b. 2^nd Vice Commander Paige reported on the following activities:

1.) Blood Drive: The next blood drive is scheduled for Tuesday 17 Apr 07 at the Post Home. Please contact Joe Finch at 703-569-1552 for an appointment.

2.) Boys State: Eddie Dentz is the Boys State Chairman again this year. He has been in touch with all four of the guidance counselors for this year’s activities starting the week of 13 Jun.

3.) Sons of the American Legion (SAL): The SAL Spring Fling dinner and dance will be held on Saturday, 21 Apr 07. The 2-4-U Band will provide music.

c. 3^rd Vice Commander Dzierski reported on the following activities:

1.) Adopt-a-Highway: A highway clean-up is scheduled for this month, along the Franconia-Springfield Parkway.

2.) Bingo: Monday night bingo is scheduled every week starting at 7:00 PM. The Bingo Committee has four solid teams, but callers and cashiers still are needed.

3.) Children & Youth: April is Children & Youth month. The EXCOM appropriated $300 for the Children & Youth Easter Party this month. The Children & Youth are still supporting the Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Plantation in South-West Virginia.

4.) Drill Team: The State finals were held on 23 Mar in Virginia Beach. Culpeper High School represented the Northern Region.

5.) Junior Law Cadets: The Cadets will be making a trip to the State Police Academy in Richmond in Jun 07.

d. Finance:

1.) Bob Cable reported that the Post is now on a cash basis for accounting. Accounting processes are still being corrected and internal controls are being put into place. A reconciliation of the bank statements also is being done through Quick Books. The Finance Report will be presented to the Corporate Board at the end of the month, then to the General Membership on the first Tuesday of the month.

2.) The Post insurance policy is paid off as of April. The new reduced cost policy is based on square footage value. The Post building is replaceable for the cost of the policy.

e. Chaplain:

1.) The Post Everlasting ceremony was held on Sunday, 1 Apr 07 at 5:00 PM at the Post Home. Forty-four deceased comrades were honored at the ceremony.

2.) Chauncey Reed is in hospice care and he may not make it through the night. He is asking for our prayers.

f. Corporate Board:

1.) Rod Carlone asked everyone to be aware of the changes planned for land re-development in East Springfield. The Board has met with the re-development group, Monument Realty, which is trying to acquire all the surrounding property. The Corporate Board will stay in communication with them and the County to keep abreast of all developments.

2.) A Merrifield company has signed an $8500 contract to plant 50 evergreen trees in the buffer zone. The 1 Apr 07 deadline for planting the trees has been extended.

g. Post Scripts: The 15^th of the month is the submission date for articles. The Post Scripts is in a budget crunch and options are being considered to reduce costs, including publishing the newsletter every two months or quarterly.

4. Old Business

a. The 2007 Dept. of Virginia Spring Conference was held in Virginia Beach from 22-25 Mar 07. Commander Taborek attended and brought back information about establishing a "Heroes to Hometown" program at the Post. The program identifies and coordinates resources in the local communities before the service member and his or her family return from an overseas deployment.

b. Longevity pins were presented at the Awards and Recognition Dinner on 30 Mar 07. Pins also can be purchased on-line through the Legion Catalog. 2^nd Vice Commander Paige indicated he was not recognized for his 10 year membership. Junior Past Commander Lipscomb apologized if anyone was missed.

c. In reference to the 14 Nov 06 GMM minutes, para 5.e., and the 6 Feb 07 GMM minutes, para 3.b., a bronze plaque has been purchased to attach to the flag pole at John Bednarek’s apartment building, indicating that the flag was donated by American Legion Post 176. Junior ROTC members will participate in the flag-raising ceremony.

d. In reference to the 26 Dec 06 EXCOM meeting minutes, para 4.b., since the resignation of Judge Advocate Dentz, Commander Taborek is actively working the issue of reviewing the Constitution and By Laws and drafting a revision if necessary.

5. New Business:

a. The Nominating Committee presented candidates to run for the following Post Offices: Lew Lipscomb for Commander, Bob Cable and Ed Taborek for Finance Officer, and Ken Hanson for Committeeman-at-Large. There were no additional nominations from the floor.

b. Committeeman-at-Large Tesla raised an issue about the Commander’s article in the April Post Scripts. Committeeman Bailey made a motion that the Commander refrain from putting articles in the Post Scripts that place the Post in a bad light. The motion was ruled out of order, but there was general agreement that articles should not focus on negative aspects of the Post. 2^nd Vice Commander Paige took offense at the Commander’s article and resigned.

c. Comrade Jimmy Jones asked why the regular room for the membership meeting was rented out this evening causing the group to meet in a smaller room. According to the master calendar, the large room should be reserved the first Tuesday of the month for the GMM. He recommended that a checklist of Post activities be given to the General Manager to address existing conflicts and plan the road ahead.

d. Good of the Legion. John Bednarek presented a $100 donation to Boys State from the Boys in the Back Room. Commander Taborek also donated $25.

e. There being no further business, a motion was made and carried to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 2113.

Ali Nikolai Ed Taborek

Vice Adjutant Commander