Central Coast Chapter Minutes for March 18, 2017
Meeting to Order: 1:03 PM
Attendance: 13 (10 members & 3 guests).Pledges of Allegiance & SAR
Sunshine Report: None
Secretary’s Report: February Minutes read aloud. Motion (Siler)
to accept minutes as read. Seconded (Mummert). Carried.
Guest Speaker: Alan McKean, a Veteran’s Affairs
representative with the State of California Employment Development Department
was our speaker. Alan has a military background and provided some history
attached to veteran’s issues. 179,000, at one time or another, served in the Continental
Line during the Revolutionary War and most had some expectation that they would
receive a pension and/or land bounty. Only 3100 actually received full
benefits. The Society of Cincinnatus represented 2300 veteran officers but only
420 received full benefits. Thus, began an uneven history between war veterans
and their government.
In 1818, the first bill was enacted to authorize
revolutionary pensions but only if the veteran was indigent. Veterans of the
Mexican War had to wait until 1887. WWI veterans, who experienced a 23% suicide
rate, had to undertake bonus marches in order to finally receive $1000.00 bonus
payable in 1945.
Today, numerous organizations provide services to veterans.
Locally, the SLO Co. Veteran’s Collaborative provides a myriad of services in a
one stop setting. The Collaborative is tailored to San Luis Obispo Co. and a
good deal of cohesion is required. There are 61 providers on board but the
Collaborative could use volunteers. They convene the second Tuesday of each
month.
There are approximately 2700 homeless vets in SLO with only
67 housing units designated. Alan stated that most vets don’t know U.S. History
and that EDD does teach some history along with its main mission which is
employment. The VA has been plagued with backlogs. In 2007, the average length
of a claim was 4 years, three months and 28 days. Now waits are 3 ½ months from
receipt of the initial letter. There is shuttle from SLO to Los Angeles VA
Hospital. Cuesta College is also very engaged.
Alan’s presentation was warmly received and President Haynes
presented him with a certificate and cannon.
Treasurer’s Report: Current account balance stood at
$3173.29 but as of today it is $3093.29.
Old News: The Women’s Auxiliary are looking for local
quilters to help complete a statewide project.
Closing Pledge
Adjournment.
Respectfully Submitted,
Chris
Scrimiger
Chapter Secretary
