THE AMERICAN LEGION
WAYNE E. MARCHAND POST 28
1934 ADANIYA
KITANAKAGUSKU-SON, OKINAWA, JAPAN 901-2316
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE MEMBERSHIP MEETING – 20 MARCH 2025
Commander Occomy called the Membership Meeting of Wayne E. Marchand Post OK28, Department of the Philippines, to order at 1800 hours in the Post Home.
ROLL CALL:
The following Post officers were absent and excused, Adjutant Linker, Executive Committeemen Roper.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES:
The minutes of the 20 February Executive Committee Meeting and the 27 February Membership Meeting were available for review and there being no additions, deletions or corrections, they stood as read.
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: Martin Mooney and Adjutant Linker
The total Membership for 2025 is 332, broken down as follows: PUFL - 79; NEW - 66; RE-NEW - 186 TRANSFER-IN – 1
HOUSE COMMITTEE: Legionnaire Aldridge reported
The Point of Sales Machine is operational and doing well.
FINANCE COMMITTEE: Legionnaire O’Brien reported the following:
The Financial statements were available for review.
POST SERVICES OFFICER: Legionnaire Kwong
Assisted three veterans and three service members.
HISTORIAN/CHILDREN/YOUTH/AMERICANISM: Legionnaire Garza
The Boy Scouts have requested to participate in the Ernie Pyle Memorial, awaiting total number of attendees.
BUILDING AND GROUNDS: Legionnaire Nicholson
Nothing Significant to Report.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Upcoming significant events are as follows: The 80th Ernie Pyle Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, 19 April. The ceremony will begin at 1000.
The current Internet Service Provider (BB.excite) contract is under review. The Post may either request service improvements from the existing provider or transition to a new ISP for enhanced service. The Commander has appointed Legionnaire Kwong to research available ISP options and present his findings at the next Executive Meeting.
Post Renovation Project, previously tabled, was revisited during this Executive Meeting. The Commander asked the Executive Committee to consider three options: proceed with the original $16,000 motion from October 2024, revise the proposed renovations, or cancel the motion. Following discussion, a motion was made to cancel the initial request and reconsider the renovation project. The motion was seconded and passed by majority vote. The Commander directed the Executive Committee to develop new renovation ideas to enhance the décor, which will be presented at the April Executive Committee meeting.
The Commander asked for maximum Executive Committee and membership support for the 19 April 80th Ernie Pyle Memorial Service. Legionnaire Mooney, Chair of the Ernie Pyle Memorial Committee, motioned to approve a $4,000 food purchase for the event. The motion passed unanimously, with any excess funds to be returned to the Post.
The following coordination items are still pending; transportation, ferry, food, canopies (6+), food tables, chairs, podium, and flowers. The Guest Speaker, Okinawa Branch Ambassador, 442d RCT POC, and approximately 50 local guests are confirmed. Confirmation is still pending from the Ernie Pyle Legacy Foundation POCs and other special guests.
NEW BUSINESS AND CORRESPONDENCE:
The Commander has appointed Legionnaire Rancloes to develop ideas for relocating or archiving certain photos and wall décor within the Canteen. This initiative aims to replace outdated photos and décor with more recent images, plaques, awards, and certificates. The Commander recommends relocating some historical photos and certificates to the conference room and storage areas.
Additionally, the Commander has presented the proposed Canteen Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to the Executive Committee for review and revisions. The SOP will serve as a working document and will be reviewed and updated annually in February, or as needed, by the Executive Committee.
GOOD OF THE AMERICAN LEGION:
The Tomari International Cemetery clean-up will tentatively take place on Sunday, 30 March @0900; if interested in participating, meet at the Tomari International Cemetery.
Since no further business came before this Executive Membership meeting, Commander Occomy adjourned the meeting at 1925 hours. The next Executive Membership Meeting will be 1800 hours on 17 April 2025 in accordance with the Post Constitution and By-Laws.
Prepared By: Approved By:
G. W. Linker L. T. Occomy