Meeting Minutes

                                          149th Armor Regiment

                                 Meeting minutes 15 March 2025

Members present: Felix Charfauros, Natividad Osuna Jr.; Michael McIntosh, Richard Mayeda, Bruce Mehringer, Arthur Nichols and Charles Newport. On Zoom: Daniel Baptista.

Guests: SFC Tibble (340th BSB) and Mr. H. Libby (Salinas Hometown Heroes).

1. Meeting Called to order (1304hrs), the Pledge conducted and Roll taken by Art Nichols.

2. Reading of the minutes from 18 January: MacIntosh pointed out the “1’ IN “149” was missing from the heading and that Paul Saguil was present but not listed. The minutes were approved as corrected.

3. Setting the agenda: It was decided that we would hear from our guests before moving on to the established agenda.

a. Mr. Hy Libby spoke to Salinas Hometown Heroes Banner Program. At various times of the year this program places banners along Main Street which display a photo of veterans, both current and past, to honor those who have served or are currently serving. This year the emphasis is on soldiers of the 40thTank Company sent to the Philippines as C/194th Tank Battalion.  At 11:00 on May 10, 2025 they are holding a walk from the arch on Main to the train station. More info can be found on their web site. All members of the Regiment are invited to participate in the walk. We will send out an email with more details as they become available.

b. SFC Tibble as present to solicit comments on the 340thBSB’s Dining In event in February which was attended by COL Nichols and CSM Mehringer. The gathering was at Temple Hall (previously the Officers’ Club) at CSLO. Although Dining Ins are traditionally attended by officers and Senior NCOs, this event was open to all members of the battalion. It was noted that several members left their table without the permission of Mr. Vice or were not fined by Mr. Vice for violating decorum. Perhaps the rules of the mess were not understood.  These observations and a few others were offered as constructive criticism. 

4. Health and Welfare: ISG Bernie Salgado has been in the VA hospital (Portland) but has returned home now. 

5. Membership Report: Life Members – 85; Annual -16; Honorary -9; total -110

6. Treasurer’s Report: Savings: $26.28, Checking: $9,051.47, Special Savings: $5,033.85

7. Adjutant’s Report: Passed out copies of email sent to Dan Sebby regarding our visit to the State Military Museum. In addition to expressing our appreciation for the arranged visit, a link to photos of Santa Cruz’s Company F of the 159thInf was included. The photos are from the mid-1950s and are captioned with names and dates.

8. Scholarship Project.  The committee (Regimental officers) met at 1215 hrs. to review the applications and review the new procedures.  Only one application was received. After all members of the committee reviewed the documents, the applicant was approved. Ms. Nikki Lockwood is this year’s recipient. The scholarship will be presented at the BBQ in August. The new procedures where the applicants file their papers via email are working well. 

9. The Camp out and shoot out at Mehringer’s cabin in Carmel Valley (A flyer is attached in the email of these minutes). It is a great weekend; fishing, shooting and good food in the mountains. Members are encouraged to RSVP by 02 April. You can RSVP to COL Newport at 408-483-6544.

10. A Proposed plan for Regimental ENDX. At some time in the reasonably near future, it will be necessary to close down the 149th Armor Regiment as a formal organization as recognized by the California National Guard. That recognition has provided us with the Bataan Conference Center for our meetings and a secure place to display our history through photos and artifacts and a great BBQ facility. When the 1-149th Armor Battalion cased its colors on the lawn of the Santa Cruz armory in 2007 the Regiment began a mutually supporting relationship with the 340th BSB; that relationship continues today. A plan to manage the tasks involved is attached with these minutes.  Members are encouraged the share their thoughts with COL Newport at cnewport06@yaoo.com.  Execution is expected to take twelve to eighteen months. 

11. Meeting adjourned 1410 hrs. Next meeting 17 May 2025, 1300hrs, Bataan Conference Center. 

                                                                                         ---Newport