ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES – 9 NOV 13
365th Fighter Group Restaurant, Canton, OH
22 members in attendance
1. 2013 Unit Debrief (events, recruiting, Tuscazoar)
Members briefly discussed the events attended in 2013 and the success of the Tuscazoar event.
2. Christmas Party, 7 DEC, 1700 hrs., Aurora, OH
Members where reminded to register for the Christmas Dinner at http://www.bakerchristmas.eventbrite.com/.
Potential 502nd vet to be guest. Andrew Messing to check on this.
3. National Remembrance Day, WR Cemetery, Rittman, OH (14 DEC)
The platoon will be standing “guard” over the veteran wreaths prior to placement at the Rittman National Cemetery.
The platoon will be outfitted in “Battle of the Bulge” configuration.
Members were asked to register their participation at http://www.bakercowreaths.eventbrite.com/.
4. Apply for non-profit status
Discussion of the pros and cons of filing for incorporation as a 501c(3) non-profit educational organization.
A motion was made and passed to begin the filing process.
Funds from the Tuscazoar event will be used for the filing fees.
Ford Motor Company has expressed an interest in supporting the unit once non-profit status is official. Other companies were discussed as well as working with a grant writer.
5. Addition of Secretary/Treasurer to organization (amend Bylaws)
In preparation for operating as a non-profit organization, the membership passed an amendment to the organization Bylaws to include a Secretary/Treasurer in addition to the Chairman.
6. New members: Uniforms and equipment, training, other needs/information.
New members where asked what needs they have to be ready for the 2014. The biggest request was for training prior to Operation Nordwind.
Weapons, ammo, uniforms and gear were discussed. New members were directed to get with Mark Gaynor.
Mark also encouraged everyone to start collecting ammo. We are going to look into the possibility of buying more bulk .308 and getting more M1s converted.
7. Review of the Bylaws platoon structure:
It preparation of discussing the structure of the unit, a review of the Bylaws showed that they were written in such a way to allow for the re-structure of the military unit without amending the Bylaws.
8. Restructure of the unit into a platoon:
As the unit currently has 31 members, a proposal was put forth to restructure as a platoon.
Victor Cabrera, Chris Bauer and Chris Smith had previously researched the WWII platoon.
Using “Organization of Infantry Rifle Company, Parachute, T/O and E 7-37, 24 FEB 44”, an org chart was presented to the unit.
This structure would allow future personnel growth and also allow the creation of a third squad (per T/O and E 7-37T, 16 DEC 44).
A motion was made and passed to reorganize the unit into the following platoon with said personnel assigned into leadership roles.
Personnel will be assigned to squads in DEC.
Penix, Krause, Youngman and Spade were also promoted to T-5 grade as senior personnel.
1ST PLATOON, COMPANY B, 502nd
PLATOON HQ
Platoon Leader, 1st Lt. Victor Cabrera
Asst. Platoon Leader, 2nd Lt. Chris Smith
Platoon Sergeant, SSgt. Chris Bauer
Messenger
RTO
Medic
1st SQUAD
Squad Leader, Sgt. Mark Gaynor
Asst. Squad Leader, Cpl. Eric Muehlenbein
Machine Gunner
Asst. Machine Gunner
Ammunition Bearer
7 Rifleman
2nd SQUAD
Squad Leader, Sgt. Mike Oakley
Asst. Squad Leader, Cpl. Clay Cessna
2 Scouts
8 Rifleman
9. Appointments vs. elections for first year:
A motion was made and passed to accept the appointments for this year and to proceed with nominations and elections during out annual NOV meeting in an election year (2014).
10. Training:
A leadership training day will be held in Zoar, OH in FEB. All members are permitted to attend by the officers and NCOs are required to attend. Date to be announced.
A drill and tactical training day will be held early in MAR to prep the unit (especially new members) for Operation Nordwind.
11. Events for 2014 (* denotes platoon max effort event). The unit will be using EventBrite to confirm member attendance for events:
27-30 MAR - Operation Nordwind, Ft. Indiantown Gap, PA*
17-18 MAY - Armed Forces Day Show, Findlay, OH
19-20 JUL - Ride Through History, Alliance, OH*
22-23 AUG - D-Day, Conneaut, OH*
2 AUG - Bridge at Ramagen, PA (as regular infantry)
SEP - Eisenhower Farm Living History, Gettysburg, PA*
OCT - Camp Tuscazoar Tactical, Dover, OH*
12. A motion was made and passed for the unit to again host the Camp Tuscazoar Tactical in 2014. More members are to help plan and run the event. Date to be confirmed by Mark Gaynor. Most likely to be the weekend of 11 OCT.
13. Meeting was adjourned and lunch was consumed.
Submitted, 10 NOV 2013
Christopher Smith
Chairman
