The meeting of the John J. VanGyzen Detachment was called to order by Commandant Bruce Aldrich at 10:00 hours. 27 members were present.
The colors were posted, the pledge of allegiance and opening prayer.
Motion made, seconded and passed to suspend the regular order of business for election of officers for 2023.
Elected;
Commandant Bruce Aldrich
Sr. Vice Commandant Brain Brown
Jr. Vice Commandant Andrew Robinson
Paymaster William Murphy
Judge Advocate Manual Menezes
Positions appointed by the Commandant;
Adutant William Niewola
Sgt. at Arms Charles Metzger
Webmaster Jeffry Waite
Chaplain John Carvalho
Quartermaster Nolan LePage
Motion made, seconded and passed to cast one vote for the slate.
Motion made, seconded and passed to return to regular business.
Roll call of officers:
Present- Commandant, Sr. Vice Commandant, Jr Vice Commandant, Adjutant, Paymaster, Judge Advocate, Sgt at Arms, Chaplain and Quartermaster.
Absent- Webmaster.
Motion made, seconded and passed to accept the February minutes.
Correspondence:
- Letter from Somerset Advisory Board who is the process of upgrading the war memorial for the town and are requesting donations to help fray the cost. This matter will be discussed under new business
- Thank you from the Young Marines National Headquarters for the donation.
- Thank you from Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Children & Families for our donation at the Christmas Holiday.
- Wine brochure for 100th anniversary of the Marine Corps League. Wine is available to purchase.
Officers reports:
Officers reports:
Sr. Vice Commandant;
- Nothing to report
Jr. Vice Commandant;
Judge Advocate
- Manny said anyone who did not attend the Iwo Jima ceremony missed an outstanding event. The Marines from the motor T in Providence were terrific. After the ceremony, we and the guests returned to headquarters for refreshments and comradery. It was a Semper Fi celebration.
Webmaster:
- Nothing to report.
Quartermaster:
- Nothing to report
Chaplain
- Nothing to report
Commandants report:
- Todays do-nuts provided by bet you can`t guess. Quality Auto.
- Please, when sending Bruce and email or text, PLEASE identify yourself. He doesn`t know who pogeybaitMarine@aol is.
- Bruce was very pleased at the attendance for the Iwo Jima Ceremony.
- Thank you to the members who attended the funeral for Billy Arruda.
- A special meeting was held after Billy`s funeral to discuss things that would help the detachment.
Motion made, seconded and passed to accept all officer`s reports.
New business;
- We will be returning to the Brockton VA hospital on Saturday March 25 for a pizza party. This one is scheduled for 14:00 hours and we will be bringing our own tables.
- There approximately 11 spaces for bricks at Iwo Jima monument and they are still $50.00 each.
- There has been a change in dates for the clambake and barbeque. The new are as follows, Clambake Saturday September 30 and barbeque Saturday June 24.
- Bruce thanked the major at the motor T in Providence for the support he and his Marines gave, helping us and our guest of honor and his family attend the ceremony. The major also extended the detachment an invitation to tour the motor pool to see the equipment our Marines are using. Details will be forthcoming.
Sickbay report;
- Three of our brothers al in the sickbay report.
- Jo Estrella
- Harry Terrien
- Mike Tripp
- There are cards on the back table to be signed.
For the good;
A moment of silence for our departed members.
Next meeting will be Saturday, April 1 at 10:00 hours.
Motion made, seconded and passed to adjourn the meeting 10:55 hours.
Respectfully submitted
William F. Niewola Jr.
Detachment Adjutant
