Jewish War Veterans
Department of Maryland
Minutes
23 December 2007
In attendance: 12
The Minutes from the 25 November 2007 meeting were accepted as read.
Comment and discussion: Opening Prayer was discussed regarding the inclusion of the phrase “and women”.
Quartermaster: Quartermaster’s report was accepted as presented.
Commander: Saluting: Legislation will permit veterans the option to render a hand salute or to place their hand over their heart. There will not be a Cold War Victory Medal within the Defense budget. National Guard Bureau: Pending the signing of the legislation by the President, the rank of the Chief of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau will be raised from Lieutenant General (three stars) to General (four stars). The current Chief of the Bureau is Lt. General Blum, a member of Post 167. Commander attended the re-integration program for National Guard and reserve returnees. The Vietnam Veterans of America have left the Joint Veterans committee as the JVC does nothing. The history of the Jewish War Veterans departure for that organization was described. The Maryland Legislature will soon convene. The matter of the tax status of the J.W.V. was discussed including the possibility of changing our filing status to “Veterans Organization.” The commander prefers that the state law be changed permitting a change in status including the J.W.V. as tax-exempt. Discussion followed.
Senior Vice: Base realignment and closing (BRAC): Maryland expects only 1,000 instead of the earlier number of 1,500 persons to arrive in the state due to transportation issues. It was recommended that these personnel be invited to join the J.W.V. The Fort Meade publication, Soundoff! will be contacted.
Jr. Vice: Not present.
Judge Advocate: Progress.
N.E.C.: The National Museum of American Jewish Military History will undergo re-construction. Funds were requested. The National J.W.V. calendar includes a member of Post No. 567. Very few members were in receipt of it. Discussion followed. Scholarship applications are available. A copy of the insurance policy was received; it took six months of asking.
Rep., Post 692: Al. Lerner understood that calendars were only sent to those who made contributions.
Commander: The Commander received a telephone call regarding a dues issue from a member in New York.
Post Reports
117: The recent trip to Annapolis went well. The Post’s Commander is feeling better.
167: The commander represented the Post at three Veterans Administration hospitals. The Post is planning an all-day trip to Annapolis in April. An Oneg Shabbat is being planned for the Uriah P. Levy Chapel at the U.S. Naval Academy. Nominations will take place in February. Commander Greenberg will step down. The Post held a Chanukah party.
380: The Post will obtain a new Alter cloth. Kiddush for Armed forces Day. The commander wants innovative ways to get new members.
567: The post is growing. Eleven new members joined. Gave a donation to the V.A. holiday fund. The Post will not hold meetings in January or February. A brunch was held in November. The Post visited the Uriah P. Levy Chapel at the U.S. Naval Academy.
692: The Post’s meetings are now held at the Ring House. Had a breakfast meeting with a speaker. Seven new members Received twenty VIP tickets to Veterans Day observance at Arlington National Cemetery.
888 Visited Uriah P. Levy Chapel at the U.S. Naval Academy. Obtained a wheel chair for Anna Cohen through the V.F.W. Planning a Purim breakfast. Visits to Perry Point.
Commander: The Senior Vice Commander maintains the calendar to coordinate installations.
Commander 380: Asked about the limitation being placed on the number of visitors for the Oneg Shabbats. The Dept. Commander stated that the Friends of the Jewish Chapel, coordinating those events, plans only for a specific number of attendees.
Commander: The Department Convention location is under discussion. Looking to Annapolis Post to host the event on 8 June.
VAVS: The issue of credit for the travel time to Perry Point is still being investigated.
Public Relations: Content for website was requested via email.
Museum: The National Museum of American Jewish Military History is expanding. Some of the exhibits were described. A discussion of the Medal of Honor recipients followed.
Scouting: The Baltimore Area Jewish Committee on Scouting will have a retreat at Broad Creek. A Scout Shabbat will be take place on 26 January at Ner Tamid.
Old Business: None.
New Business: The Department Commander to provide information Commander 567 to present to his State Senator regarding tax status.
There was a discussion of obtaining at least one table of 8 at the 8 March dinner commemorating the 75th anniversary of the march in New York. The following posts committed to the indicated number of tickets:
Post 167 4
Post 567 1
Post 692 4
Post 888 1
Next Meeting: 27 January 2008