Mid-South Chapter, VHPA, Meeting Minutes 9 Jan 99
(Photos added below.)

Chapter President Charles Bell called the meeting to order at 1000 hrs 9 Jan 1999, at the Renaissance Hotel, site of the 1999 VHPA Reunion. In addition to the president, attending were:

Bob Bales, Clarksville, TN (MUST56@AOL.COM); Whit Whitworth, Jefferson City, TN (UTVolFan@earthlink.net); Charles Robertson, Martin, TN (charlesr@aeneas.net); George Neely, Murfreesboro, TN (70773.1260@compuserve.com); Mike Haley, Mt. Juliet, TN (outlaw13@webtv.net); Bob Mitchell, Pinson, TN (Mitchellrw@aol.com); Bob Fladry, Clarksville, TN (cw5flapper@aol.com), and Ross Rainwater, Brentwood, TN (r-rainwater@juno.com). SPECIAL GUEST: Dave Rittman, , Parkville, MO, representing VHPA, with responsibility for coordinating vendor/suppliers for VHPA Reunions (daverittman@prodigy.net).

Each attendee was given an opportunity to introduce themselves and give a short overview of their Vietnam service.

Previous meeting minutes were read and approved.

Treasurer's report: Rhea Rippey sent a full report, which was circulated among attendees for review. All outstanding bills have been paid and chapter finances are in good order.

Secretary's report: With three paying during this meeting, total paid membership is now 33.

Old Business: Chapter voted to table active consideration of long-term mission and goals statement in light of the short-term demands of support for the July VHPA Reunion.

Chapter status as Reunion Vendor: We have sought and been granted vendor status. Chapter plans to have several different items for sale, including t-shirts, caps, and mugs. Proof items have been sought from several suppliers, with presentations to be made at next chapter meeting for final decision on which items to order.

New Business: Bob Mitchell was elected an official Member-At-Large, responsible for recruiting in the Jackson, TN, area.

Secretary was charged with requesting additional "seed money" available from National VHPA HQ in support of chapter start-ups.

Next meeting: 1000 hrs 13 February 99, at Army Aviation Support Facility, Smyrna, TN. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A CHANGE IN LOCATION FROM THAT PREVIOUSLY POSTED. We expect to return to the Renaissance Hotel once or twice more before the Reunion.

There being no further chapter business, the meeting was adjourned and turned over the Reunion Chair Mike Haley for updates and discussions.

REUNION '99

Mike Haley reportsedboth the Renaissance and Marriott Courtyard downtown are sold out but that less than 20 of the 96 rooms at the Doubletree Hotel have been booked. SINCE THIS HOTEL IS SO CLOSE TO THE HQ HOTEL, THOSE WHO HAVE NOT MADE RESERVATIONS YET SHOULD ACT QUICKLY. We plan to post additional "unofficial" hotel locations on our website.

On-Your-Own Tours: Mike confirmed that Gray Line Tours will have a booth on site for those who would like to take advantage of the numerous tours available which are not included in Reunion activities, such as "Discover Nashville," "Grand Legends," "Homes of the Stars," and others. (Gray Line's website: http://www.globalwelcome.com)

Mini-Reunions: Although mini-reunion chair Rick Haines (rhaines@pipeline.com) was unable to attend, he sent a detailed list of groups who have planned mini's so far:

170th AHC, 48th AHC, VHPA-FL, B/101 Kingsmen, 281st ASH, Soc Trang (Including 121st AHC, Co A/101), 118th AHC, WORWAC Class 68-31, 175th AHC, 4/77 ARA, 176th AHC, VHPA-CCN, B-7/1 ACS, Skycrane Pilots, 1/9th Cav, Dustoff, 195th AHC Skychief, 4th Avn/4th Inf, C-1/9th Cav.

Aircraft Displays: Bob Fladry confirmed that we will have a wide variety of aircraft displayed during the Fish Fry at AASF, Smyrna. Aircraft from the North Carolina VHPA Chapter are planned for display at the HQ hotel.

Dave Rittman gave an overview of considerations for vendors, suppliers, and support needed. There were 21 vendors at Fort Worth, and 25-30 expected for Nashville.

Ross Rainwater reported he has been in contact with VHPA HQ, which will be sending a list of their requirements for support and equipment they will need upon arrival at the Reunion.

There being no further Reunion business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Ross Rainwater, Secretary, Mid-South Chapter, VHPA
C-1/9, 1st Air Cav, '70-71; HHC, 12th CAG, '71
ORWAC 70-24, Orange Hats
r-rainwater@juno.com

Mid-South Chapter members meet at VHPA Reunion '99 HQ Hotel
L-R, back row: VHPA Board Member Dave Rittman, Mike Haley, Bob Bales, Charles Robertson, Whit Whitworth
Seated, L-R: Ross Rainwater, Bob Fladry

Dave Rittman (l), VHPA Board Member, met with VHPA Reunion Chair Mike Haley to discuss vendor support at the Reunion.

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