THE AMERICAN LEGION
WAYNE E. MARCHAND POST 28
1934 ADANIYA
KITANAKAGUSKU-SON, OKINAWA, JAPAN 901-2316
MINUTES OF THE MEMBERSHIP MEETING – 27 February 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:
There were no Post Officers absent from the meeting.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES:
The minutes of the 30 January Special Executive Committee Meeting, 23 February Executive Committee Meeting and the 23 January Membership Meeting were available for review and there being no additions,
deletions or corrections, they stood as read.
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: Adjutant Linker reported the following:
The total Membership for 2024 is 325, broken down as follows: PUFL - 79; NEW - 58; RE-NEW - 187 TRANSFER-IN – 1
There were 6 new members voted on during the meeting bringing our 2023 post membership total to 331.
HOUSE COMMITTEE: Legionnaire Aldridge reported
The Point of Sales (POS) system is operational; prices posted in Yen.
FINANCE COMMITTEE: Legionnaire O’Brien reported the following:
The Financial statements were available for review.
POST SERVICES OFFICER: Legionnaire Kwong reported
The Korea Beneficiary Delivery at Discharge (BDD) office is backlog; expect a delay.
HISTORIAN/CHILDREN/YOUTH/AMERICANISM: Legionnaire Garza Reported
The Boy Scouts have requested to participate in the Ernie Pyle Memorial; pending details.
BALLOTING OF APPLICATIONS: Adjutant Linker read the names of the new applicants:
There were 6 new applicants voted on. Legionnaire Mooney motioned to accept the applicants as read; seconded by Legionnaire Gerena; passed unanimously.
There were no new members present to be sworn in.
BUILDING AND GROUNDS: Legionnaire Mooney
NSTR
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
The 80th annual Ernie Pyle Memorial, held on Ie Shima, is scheduled for the 19 April. The event will start at 1000. Updates are as follows:
- 1st Vice Commander Mooney met with the Mayor of Ie Shima and the Marine Detachment to discuss event preparations.
- The bus signup sheet will be available at the bar starting March 1. Please note that while the bus ride is free, those riding the bus must have Yen to cover the ferry pass. The bus departs from the American Legion
- parking lot at 0700. The ferry departs at 0900, arrives at 0930, and returns from Ie Shima Port at 1330. The expected arrival back at the American Legion is 1430. Those traveling by personal vehicle should adhere
- to the same schedule, however, if you choose to spend additional time exploring Ie Shima, you can return on the 1600 ferry. For more details on Ie Shima, including ferry times and fares, please
- visit: From Motobu Port (Motobu Town) to Ie Port/Okinawa Island Guide.
- There are 10 ferry reservation spots for the Legion Riders’ motorcycles. Riders wishing to take their bikes need to coordinate with Executive Committeeman Roper to secure your spot.
- Executive Committeeman Rancloes is working on an AFN spot as well as looking into Stars and Stripes coverage for the event.
NEW BUSINESS AND CORRESPONDENCE: Commander Occomy was sworn in by past Department Commander O’Brien.
Department Commander Occomy swore in the newly elected and appointed officers:
- Post 1st Vice Commander: Martin Mooney
- Post 2nd Vice Commander: Ronald Aldridge
- Post Judge Advocate: Carlos Gerena Jr.
- Post Sgt @ Arms: Billy Quinn
- Post Chaplain: Emmitt Wilent
- Post Executive Committeemen: Tiffinay Rancloes
- Post Executive Committeemen: Rodney Roper
- Post Historian: Nathaniel Garza
- Post Adjutant: Gerald Linker
- Post Finance Officer: John O’Brien
- Post Services Officer: Alex Kwong
GOOD OF THE AMERICAN LEGION: Commander Occomy reported the following:
Members of the charity organization “Help OKI” presented the American Legion Riders with the President’s Volunteer Service Award. They were recommended for the award for their countless dedication and commitment to our nation and the local communities through their volunteer service.
The Riders were also presented with the Key to The Island of Okinawa. This award is presented By Help Oki to only 5 groups or individuals each year. It was presented for their dedication to helping the less fortunate here in Okinawa.
The Uruma City Office for single mothers also presented the riders with a thank you card for their volunteer work with the single mother group.
There was $194 donated to the widow’s fund; the winner donated back to the fund.
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 Membership meeting, Commander Occomy adjourned the meeting at 1836 hours. The next Membership Meeting will be 1800 hours on 27 March 2025 in accordance with the
Post Constitution and By-Laws.
Prepared By: Approved By:
G. W. Linker L. T. Occomy