FREEDOM THROUGH VIGILANCE ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 691616
San Antonio, Texas 78269-1616

1. MARCH 15, 2019 FTVA BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING: After ascertaining a quorum, President Ted Colquhoun called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. in the Cafeteria, bldg. 2000, Security Hill, Joint-Base San Antonio-Lackland.

2. Attendance:

3. MINUTES: The January 2019 Meeting Minutes were read and approved with minor modification. There were no minutes from the February meeting as there was not a quorum.

4. TREASURER’S REPORT: Lee Anthony presented a Treasurer’s report, which will be archived for audit. He also presented potential options in keeping with the previous IRS determination regarding the USAFSS/ESC Memorial Fund, designating that funds for “…permanent honors such as Hall Of Honor plaques, presentations, busts, etc. are allowed.” Pending Board of Directors’ approval, the venue and presentation of plaques honoring Hall of Honor inductees may be included as part of the annual banquet festivities.

5. OLD BUSINESS:

1. FTVA Membership Drive: Nothing new to report; TABLED until next meeting.
2. FTVA Facebook Presence: Nothing new to report; TABLED until next meeting.
3. FTVA P.O. Box Update: Lee Anthony conducted some research on locations and has us on a Post Office Box waiting list at the Post Office on Broadway. He continues to explore options.

6. NEW BUSINESS:

1. Remain in Touch Newsletter Online: : After short discussion, motion was made, seconded, and approved to declare the June 2019 edition of the Remain in Touch Newsletter to be the last hard copy run. Future editions will be totally online, with the exception of the small number of customers who are not yet connected online. That number has not yet been determined (more research is needed) but it should be less than 20 hard-copy products each production cycle. Printing and mailing the Newsletter is the FTVA main body’s largest annual expenditure. Going online will result in tremendous savings. Dennis Buxton will ensure the last hard copy produced and distributed will include a very clear announcement behind cessation of hard copy production.
2. Status of TSgt Parrish Plaque in BALA: One of our more observant members noticed there is no plaque to memorialize TSgt Parrish in the back of the Bernard A. Larger Auditorium (BALA), although there are plaques honoring all other known members who died in the line of duty. A short discussion ensured to consider why that might be; with end result being a motion made, seconded, and approved to fund an appropriate plaque to be placed on the wall in the BALA. TSgt Parrish died in an AWACs aircraft crash in Alaska in 1995.
3. Potential Modification to FTVA Hall of Honor Criteria: Because the 25th Air Force has grown so much and now incorporates virtually every Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) in the Air Force; this subject was presented to open discussions on possibly modifying the criteria as to who can be submitted for consideration to be inducted in the FTVA Hall of Honor (HoH). Short discussion ensued with most of it favoring not making any changes because the intent is to honor those who have made significant contributions to the 25th Air Force and predecessor organizations. No decision was made other than to table this topic until the person who submitted it could attend and present his views.
4. Potential Support to Wasatch Chapter and/or Hurlburt Field Air Park: The new Wasatch Chapter and the 25th Intelligence Squadron at Hurlburt Field have both approached FTVA Board of Directors seeking funds for projects associated with their respective locations. After short discussion, agreement was reached to get more information before pursuing further. Nobody is opposed to providing funds, but the need to ensure disbursement meets the spirit and intent of FTVA requirements must be met.
5. Funding Request to Correct Amber Hall Plaque: Amber Hall, part of the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base, has a plaque memorializing a number of our Airmen lost in the line of duty while conducting ISR missions. Turns out some of the names on the plaque, which dates back to the 1960s, are spelled wrong. They are seeking finds to make corrections. After short discussion, motion was made, seconded, and approved to fund the replacement plaque.
6. Securing an Online Payment Option for FTVA Members: Security Service Federal Credit Union (SSFCU) maintains the bank account for the Freedom Through Vigilance Association. The only online payment option used by SSFCU is their “bill-pay” which does not meet the needs of most of our members. Lee Anthony, in his role as FTVA Treasurer, will explore options of opening an account with another local credit union to ensure we are able to provide an effective online payment option. FTVA would still maintain an account with SSFCU.
7. SLACK App for FTVA Communications: A member from the new Wasatch Chapter recommended FTVA members start using a communications App called SLACK. This app allows private individual and group discussions similar to mainstream chatroom-type apps. All members at Salt Lake City are communicating on the SLACK app with great success.

7. CORRESPONDENCE: Three written communications were received since FTVA Board of Directors last met:

1. Request to Fund the STU Engbretson Tactics Analysis and Reporting Program (TARP) Awards: The 25 AF TARP Manager submitted request for funds for the annual STU Awards. FTVA has funded this program every year since its inception. After very brief discussion, motion was made, seconded, and approved to fund as requested.
2. The 480 ISRW submitted written request for funds to help with their Annual Awards Program. The Wing is requesting funding assistance to procure shirts for their 2018 annual award winners. After short discussion, motion was made, seconded, and approved to fund up to $500, with the caveat that they include “Freedom Through Vigilance Association” embroidered on them. Ted Colquhoun is working with the funds requester from the 480th to make sure they comply.
3. Anonymous Donation to ESC-USAFSS Memorial Funds: An anonymous donor mailed a $1000 check to us in honor of “…the most significant enlisted member” to impact his long and distinguished career.

9. AROUND THE ROOM::

1. 1. Bob Benitez: The Alsatian Golf Club at Castroville reached out to Bob in an effort to convince him to move the FTVA Annual Reunion Golf Tournament back to their site, which is where the tournament had been held for many years. We are locked in with the Golf Club of Texas for the 2019 annual reunion golf tournament, so this year is not an option. After short discussion, recommendation was made to Bob to reply to the Alsatian Golf Course that we would consider them for next year (2020).
   2. Gabe Marshall: The 25th Air Force History Office is responsible for submitting nominations to the National Security Agency (NSA) Cryptologic Hall of Honor; which is similar to the FTVA Hall of Honor Program. The NSA program nominations are due soon, and Gabe is the 25 AF lead for that effort. He recommended that we consider submitting noteworthy FTVA Hall of Honor nominations to the NSA program.
   3. Dennis Buxton: Dennis requested assistance in provide a quality control check to the draft version of the Remain in Touch Newsletter before it goes out for publication. Dan Martin volunteered to assist.
   4. Ken Williams: Ken asked about status of guest speakers for both the 2019 Spring Social and the FTVA Reunion Banquet. Ted responded that he is close to securing a guest speaker for the Spring Social, and no names have been recommended for the Banquet. Ken made a recommendation for the banquet; after brief discussion proposal was made for Ken to pursue his recommendation.

10. There being no further business, motion was made, seconded, and approved to adjourn at 1420.  The next meeting will be April 19, 2019 in the Security Hill Cafeteria, starting at 1300. 

//Signed//
LOREN R. “Phred” Sevening
FTVA Secretary
Secretary@ftva.us