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BIRMA Bulletin October - 2015
Published Bi-Monthly for Members of the Big Island Retired Military Association
Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard
October Meeting
Aloha! Another month has come and gone, amazing that as we get older it's harder to keep track
of what is happening, where the time is going. For most of us this last month has been one of the
wettest months we've had on our island. The Grass is greener, the gardens are doing well and the roads
are a mess. 'Winter' is around the corner and weather will change again. Since we 'live in paradise' we
learn to enjoy what nature brings, regardless....
REMINDER - Oct 24th, is our next meeting date, is the 4th Saturday, Pleaseremember to let us know you are going to attend!
October 24- Halloween spectacular at Al and Jackie's home in Kona.
"Ghoulash", green beans w/bacon,
salad, assorted breads and
"Trick or treat" dessert bar and punch, tea, water
Cost = $10
Directions from Kona - Palani Rd heading toward Wiamea, pass mile marker 32, Ahikawa on left (towardOcean) to 73-1137. Mailbox on left, driveway on right.
Coming from Wiamea pass mile marker 32.5 Ahikawa on right. Signs will be out. We will do a symbolicflag retirement/burning.
No speaker -- just doing a thing on flag etiquette since we are doing the flag retirement.
BIRMA MINUTES
Fraternal Order of Eagles #3642
Kea'au, HI
August 29, 2015
The Board of Directors (BOD) meeting was called to order at 10:41 AM.
Board attendees: Joe Mezaros, Harriet Owens, Frank Dickinson, Al Lamke, Skip Hickey, Neal Herbert,
Bill and Kathy Tillman, and Jim Traxler.
The minutes of the April and June meetings were approved.
The Treasurer's report was approved with a bank balance of $6,615.32. $2,000.00 is committed to the
BIRMA- Mark Allen Traxler Scholarship to be awarded during the General Membership meeting.
Welfare: No report.
Scholarship: Harriet reported that the scholarship money will mailed to the recipient's school. A
motion to continue the current split for the scholarship money was approved. That split is $1,000 from
BIRMA and $1,000 from the Traxlers. Martha and Frank and Jackie and Al pledged $100 per couple
for next year. A short history on this scholarship will be provided separately.
Membership: Kathy reported that we currently have 10 Life members, 10 widows, 44 couples and 23
singles.
Publicity: There was some discussion about newspaper articles/announcements and a report on the
latest progress with the website. Bill presented a draft of a 3-fold brochure for BIRMA. Everyone
thought it was very well done and some options were discussed.
Legislative: No report.
Faded Glory: Members were reminded to bring flags that have been collected to the next meeting.
Programs: The following is the schedule for the rest of the year--
October 24- Halloween Party at Al and Jackie' s home in Kona.
December 12- Christmas Party at the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Kona.
Al reported that this will be the last year that he and Jackie will be in charge of the Christmas Tree
Charity event at Mani Lani. More info will come concerning the event. We need someone to step up
and be in charge for next year.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:30.
General Membership Meeting/Luncheon
Joe opened the meeting at 1200 and introduced guests. The president of the Eagles gave a short
presentation on the mission and activities of their fraternal order. Lunch followed.
The BIRMA - Mark Allen Traxler Scholarship for Academic year 2015-16 was awarded to Amy
McBride. Her accomplishments and credentials were addressed in the August Bulletin.
After lunch there was a presentation on “Communications” and a presentation on “Gun Safety.”
The 50/50 drawing was won by Nestorio Domingo and he donated his winnings back to BIRMA.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:00 PM.
The Board meeting on the 24th starts at 10:30. The general meeting will be about
noon and will open with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Presidents Corner
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
The last meeting was at the Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 3642 location in Kea’au. Because of
the latest heat wave in Hawaii, the temperatures were high. Several guests attended and some of our
newest members were in attendance. The food served was very good. As you know, that’s what this
president enjoys most about our meetings. He never fails to mention that.
All of the Board members were present so the minutes from the past two meetings were
accepted.
At this meeting we presented our 2015-16 academic year scholarship to Amy McBride from
Kea’au. Her father retired from the United States Marine Corps.
Those in attendance had a good time and learned a lot from our speaker, Francis Benevides, Jr.
He spoke about firearms and self-defense. He reflected on what can and cannot be done with firearms.
He also answered the many questions that arose from his interested audience. If you need a list of the
laws for the state of Hawaii, let me know via my email ([email protected]) and I will be sure to
supply you with them.
The official reference is House Bill Chapter 703 GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF JUSTIFICATION (703-
300 TO 703-310).
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch07010853/HRS0703/HRS_0703-.htm
Refer to the minutes to see other topics covered by the Board meeting
***
Our membership list goes to all members, so if you need a copy of our latest
membership contact list, write to Kathy Tilton at [email protected].
For those of us that have forgotten how our Scholarship came about, here are the facts:
Background on the BIRMA - Mark Allen Traxler Scholarship
A BIRMA Scholarship in the amount of $500 has been awarded annually for
many years. In 2012, the Traxlers offered to increase the scholarship by matching the $500 to the BIRMA $500 for a total of $1,000 annually. In 2014,
the Traxlers offered to contribute $1,000 if BIRMA would match it. As a result, the 2015-16 Scholarship is for $2,000 and there is a commitment to continue
with this amount. Presently the BIRMA contribution is $500 from the general fund and $500 from individual contributions.
Mark Allen Traxler was the oldest son of Jim and Carol Traxler. He passed
away in 2001 at age 33 after a long battle with cancer. He was a US Army Veteran an an Alumni of the University of Colorado. His dream was to have a
career in the military. In an effort to save his life, many friends, organizations, and complete strangers contributed money necessary to get him treated at the
“City of Hope” in California. He lost the battle but not without a lot of support.
The Traxler contribution to this scholarship is to pay back in a special way for all the help the family received during a tough period. The family chose to
partner with BIRMA because of their high regard for the organization and the many special friends that are members.
Need final count by Monday, October 19 th
Please eMail or call me (Frank) – 443-7400 or
Joe Meszaros - 968-7020
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Side Note:
If you are behind in your dues or want to pay ahead, Annual membership dues for July 1, 2015 thru June 30, 2016 are now being collected. Dues are $20.00 for a couple or single; $12.00 for those 71 years or older. You can pay at any meeting or mail dues to BIRMA, c/o 224 Paukaa Dr, Hilo HI – 96720
Note from the Editor (Frank):If you haven't figured it out yet, Congress is out of control, it's timeto seriously think of TERM LIMITS for ALL of congress and SCOTUS! Give it some thought, find and sign a Petition NOW!
For the record – I am NOT advocating against ANY specific party!
NEW NAME TAGS Available
New BIRMA name tags (see picture below) are available locally from Wilson’s trophies in Hilo. The
tags are phenolic plastic with either a pin clasp or a magnetic clasp (easier on your clothes). The pin
clasp tag costs $10, the magnetic one is $11 (plus tax). You can order direct by calling Sandy at 969-
7077, or by e-mail to [email protected].
If you wish, Neal Herbert can get these for you and bring to the next BIRMA meeting. Call Neal at
935-1946.
