Warrant
Officers Heritage Foundation
Preserving Army Warrant Officer
History
A 501 (c) (3)
Non-Profit All Volunteer Organization
'WO Heritage Net''
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About Us and Foundation History
Over the years, based on suggestions from the U. S. Army Warrant Officers Association (USAWOA) membership, research by staff and volunteers, and the ever increasing demand for support which frequently translates to increased funding requirements, USAWOA looked for ways to improve the efforts to insure the Warrant Officer Corps heritage and history is properly maintained and presented to the public. It was concluded that the best way to do this is to create a separate foundation. During the summer of 2003, CW5 Franklin D. Meeks, then National President of USAWOA, caused the Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation to be set up.
Why did we create a foundation?
USAWOA felt this action was necessary due to the USAWOA federal tax categorization. The Internal Revenue Service determined that the Association was a “Not for profit, Social Welfare Organization.” The precise IRS categorization is “501 (c) (4).” This category was assigned at the time of founding.
USAWOA sought to clarify the “tax deductibility” question for present and potential financial donors. The 1972 IRS tax category designation letter for the Association clearly states that: “As a social welfare organization, contributions to you are not deductible by donors. You should advise your contributors to that effect.”
Therefore, we took action to establish charitable, education organization to replace the current USAWOA "Museum Fund" program. The Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation will administer the museum fund. The IRS categorizes charitable organizations as “501 (c) (3)” and gifts to these organizations are fully (and generally unquestionably) tax-deductible.
While the foundation is structured to be a stand-alone entity, we can accept and hope for financial support from both individuals and from corporate organizations. The foundation cannot succeed or even exist for very long without this critical support. This new approach to what was the USAWOA excellent effort in the past will hopefully result in increased donations and encourage corporations to also donate.
Here is where we are with these actions
On May 29, 2003, USAWOA President CW5 Frank Meeks appointed the initial Directors of the Foundation. They were CW5 (Retired) David Welsh, Director, Incorporator and Registered Agent; CW4 (Retired) Ronald Whalen, Director: and CW4 (Retired) Carl Burnett, Director. The appointed Directors elected two additional Directors who were CW4 (Retired) Cletus McKeown and CW5 (Retired) Thomas Piatti. See current Foundation Directors and Officers.
A decision was made to transfer the Warrant Officer Museum Fund account to the “Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation.” Thereby, it was hoped to provide a much broader appeal to potential donors as well as broader latitude for the utilization of funds derived.
On July 9, 2003 the Commonwealth of Virginia approved the request to incorporate the Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation.
On September 12, 2003, the Internal Revenue Service assigned the Foundation an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
On October 23, 2003 the Board of Directors held an organizational meeting during which they elected replacement directors for CW4 (Retired) Cletus McKeown who had passed away and CW4 (Retired) Carl Burnett who was unable to serve due to conflicting business pressures. CW5 (Retired) Richard Markle and CW3 (Retired) Alfred Cox were elected as replacements. The Foundation Bylaws were approved and Foundation officers were elected. See current Foundation Directors and Officers.
On March 19, 2004 the IRS issued an Advance Ruling granting the Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation Non-Profit Status under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Ruling covers the Foundation and donors from July 8, 2003 (the date of Incorporation in the Commonwealth of Virginia) until December 31, 2007, at which time a final determination will be rendered. As a publicly supported organization, all grants, donations, and bequests to the Foundation are tax deductible.
On March 21, 2005 Foundation President David Welsh, Vice President Richard Markle, and Secretary Ronald Whalen met with Army Historical Foundation (AHF) and National Museum of the U.S. Army (NMUSA). AHF representatives presented an overview of the AHF and their involvement with the NMUSA project. The Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation presented a briefing on the Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation (WOHF) it's structure and goals. Brig. Gen. (Ret) Abrahams, AHF Executive Director, presented the WOHF with a copy of U.S. ARMY A COMPLETE HISTORY. This almost 1,000 page book published by AHF is a chronological and pictorial history of the Army 1607 through 2004. It contains the birth of the Army WO Corps in 1918, 1/2 page reproductions of the "LET GO!" and "The Quiet Professional" prints by the late Don Stivers, plus a full, 9 1/2" wide by 13" long concise History of the Army Warrant Officer. Discussion then followed between all parties and it became that mutual cooperation was in the best interest of both Foundations. In addition, on 21 March the Foundation Directors met with the NMUSA Museum Contents Coordinator. We were briefed on the concept plan for the museum an tentative layout. Foundation assistance was solicited in obtaining Warrant Officer unique historical items for the Museum. The possibility of obtaining oral biographies of historically significant Warrant Officers was also discussed. Both the AHF and NMUSA representatives also spoke about the Memorial Garden planned for the Museum grounds. This Memorial Garden could become the site for a Memorial to Fallen Warrant Officer, the erection and placing of which is a Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation goal.
On October 12, 2005 the manuscript for a Warrant Officer History Book was submitted to the printer . - see Cover and Table of Contents and more information on the History Book Project.
(This History Book is sold out)
October 2005 marked the 2nd Annual Board meeting of the Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation. The Board meeting was held in Tucson, AZ in conjunction with the USAWOA Annual Meeting (AMM) of the Members. Directors present in person or by teleconference were David Welsh, Chairman & President; Richard Markle, Vice Chairman & Vice President; Thomas Piatti, Director & Secretary; Ronald Whalen, Director & Treasurer; and Alfred Cox, Director & Assistant Treasurer. During the meeting Chairman David Welsh made a motion to reorganize the Board to expand to seven members so that the membership would constitute a simple majority for oversight of the Corporate Officers who would also remain as voting Board members. This would incorporate the current trend to insure oversight by external directors. The motion passed unanimously and the following were elected: Richard Markle as Chairman, Alfred Cox as Vice Chairman, David Welsh as Director & President, Thomas Piatti as Director & Secretary, and Ronald Whalen as Director & Treasurer, with two directors position vacant. Chairman Markle then appointed the Board as a whole as a search committee. See the Minutes of the Meeting.
In December 2005 the Board of Directors met in Executive Session to discuss nominees for the two vacant directors and some issues that came up during the USAWOA AMM in October regarding the Warrant Officer History Book Project. CW5 (Ret) Donald "Woody" Woodruff and CW2 (Ret) Benjamin Gottfried were nominated and elected to fill the two vacant Directors positions effective January 1, 2006.
In June 2006 a letter was sent to each USAWOA Life member outlining the Foundation's goals, objectives, and progress to date. This letter also solicited financial support.
On September 22, 2006
proofing of "WARRANT The legacy of leadership as a Warrant Officer" history
book, it's covers, and dust jacket was completed and the book was certified
for printing - see Cover and Table of Contents and more information on the History Book Project.
On October 14, 2006 the 3rd Annual Board Meeting of the Foundation was held in Chestertown, MD. Operations since the 2nd Annual Meeting were reviewed and plans were reviewed for the upcoming 12 months. See the Minutes of the Meeting for details.
In October 2006 at the 34th USAWOA Annual Meeting of the Members in St. Petersburg, FL, the attendees individually donated $1,660 to the Foundation for which we are very grateful.
In December 2006 WARRANT - The Legacy of Leadership as a Warrant Officer history book was released - see more.
On September 28-30, 2007 the 4th Annual Board of Directors Meeting of the Foundation was held on Chincoteague, VA. Nominations and elections were held and all Board Members and Corporate Officers were reelected. CW4 (Ret) Donald E. Hess, USAWOA President Emeritus, was honored with the designation as Foundation Historian Emeritus and Advisor. The Board also directed that a program be developed by the Corporate Officers to recognize major donations by individuals and organizations. See the Minutes of the Meeting for details.
In October 2007 at the 35th USAWOA Annual Meeting of the Members in San Antonio, TX, USAWOA National President CW4 (Ret) Roy Valiant accepted two copies of WARRANT The Legacy of Leadership as a Warrant Officer on behalf of the U. S. Army Warrant Officers Association and Individual attendees and USAWOA Chapters donated a total of $1,000 plus pledges of a total of $600 were received. We are grateful for the support of USAWOA, it's Chapters and Members.
On April 18, 2008 the Internal Revenue Service issued a letter classifying the Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation as a public charity. We received an Advance Ruling in March 2004 treating the Foundation as a non-profit public charity for the first five-years. With this final ruling all past and future donations continue to be tax-deductible - see IRS Letter.
In January 2009, the Foundation issued an open letter in the USAWOA NEWSLINER to USAWOA, its Regions, Chapters, individual members, Corporate sponsors, and fellow Warrant Officers for their support and donations.
In June 2009, the Foundation issued another open letter in the USAWOA NEWSLINER announcing that the fund raising goal for the Memorial to our Fallen Warrant Officer Comrades had been reached.
In September 2009, the Corporate Officers of the Foundation proposed a concept design for the Warrant Officer Memorial. The design concept was unanimously approved by the Foundation Board of Directors on September 18, 2009.
On November 3, 2009, Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation Chairman of the Board CW5 (Ret) Richard Markle visited the Army Historical Foundation (AHF). During the visit the WOHF proposal was presented for approval to place six granite benches funded by the Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation in the Memorial Garden of the National Museum of the U. S. Army (NMUSA) engraved in memory of our Fallen Warrant Officer Comrades. The theme is "SOME GAVE ALL - ALL GAVE SOME" with each bench engraved to cover a period of conflict, i.e. 'THE WORLD WARS", “KOREA”, “VIETNAM”, “PANAMA - SOMALIA – HAITI”, “PERSIAN GULF” and “GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR”. Also during the visit, Markle presented a $5,000 check to the National Museum Capital Fund Raiser in behalf of the Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation and the U. S. Army Warrant Officers Association (USAWOA). Also presented were two copies of WARRANT The Legacy of Leadership as a Warrant Officer history book, one for the NMUSA Research Library and the other as a desk reference for the AHF Historian. Also, on November 6th USAWOA National President CW5 Gary Nisker announced the Memorial Bench design and the $5,000 donation to the NMUSA Fund Raiser to the attendees at the USAWOA 37th AMM in Salt Lake City. CW5 Nisker also announced a campaign to raise $100,000 toward construction of a proposed Warrant Officer Historical Exhibit commemorating the 100th Birthday of the Army Warrant Officer Corps in July 2018 - see more.
On December 1, 2009, CW3 (Ret)
Alfred E. "Al" Cox relinquished his seat as the Vice Chairman of the
Foundation. He admirably served as a Director and Assistant Treasurer from
2003-2005 and as Vice Chairman of the Board from 2005-2009.
On March 24, 2010, CW5 (Ret)
Donald "Woody" Woodruff became the Vice Chairman of the Foundation's
Board of Directors replacing CW3 (Ret) Alfred "Al" Cox who had retired and
CW4 (Ret) Harry C. McCurdy assumed the Director's seat vacated by
Vice Chairman Woodruff.
On April 7, 2010, the Board of
Directors of the Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation set 2018 as the
planned release date for the next Warrant Officer History Book edition. The
Title of the book has not yet been selected but the theme will center around
the July 9, 1918 birthday of the Army Warrant Officer in the Mine Planter
Service of the Coast Artillery and the 100 Years thereafter.
On April, 24, 2010, the Board of Directors of the U. S. Army
Warrant Officers Association joined in issuing a Joint Resolution
together with the Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation
to support an initiative that the
Casemate Museum at Fort Monroe, Virginia remain as an active Army Museum
in the United States Army Museum System - see the
Resolution. (See also
"Fort Monroe's Little
Known History: Birthplace of the U. S. Army Warrant Officer.")
Although we are an independent foundation, we are grateful to
the United States Army Warrant Officers Association for causing the creation of the Foundation, and for their providing limited office space, mail handling, phone call answering, and other support.
Compensation:
All Directors, Officers, Staff and volunteers serve without compensation.
The Foundation Office of Record is located at:
Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation, c/o USAWOA, 462 Herndon Pkwy, Suite 207, Herndon, Virginia 20170-5235.
Questions about the Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation may be sent by to us,
or to the Foundation President at cell phone 757-999-2022.
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