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Minutes 01-09-08 MINUTES OF VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9,2008, AT 10:00 A.M. IN CONFERENCE ROOM B, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Tom Kaiser, Chair Morris Boruck Lester McKinzie Stanley Gavlick, Alternate Karl Washington Thomas Krabill Stuart Preston, Alt. Darrell Fuller, Alt. Chuck Magazine, City Liaison ABSENT: David Buckner Kramer Hegman Robert Zimmermann I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Kaiser called the meeting to order at 9:59 a.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. III. INVOCATION Chair Kaiser led a prayer for fellow veteran, Robert Zimmermann. IV. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS The Recording Secretary called the roll. A quorum was present. V. AGENDA APPROVAL, November 14, 2007 Motion Mr. Krabill moved to approve the agenda. Mr. Boruck seconded the motion that passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, September 12, 2007 1 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Committee Boynton Beach, Florida January 9, 2008 Motion Mr. Boruck moved to approve the minutes. Mr. Gavlik seconded the motion that passed unanimously. VI. COMMENTS BY CHAIR Chair Kaiser advised Mr. Oyer, Jr. was supposed to be present and announced there was an ongoing project. He explained when the United States freed Bagdad there was a museum between the Tigress and Euphrates River. The museum was not safeguarded and the museum, with religious artifacts, was ransacked. A marine asked for permission to try to recover those artifacts and was told permission could not be officially granted. He personally undertook a mission to try to recover those artifacts. The marine and others recouped about 60% to 80% of the artifacts. A book was written about the marines efforts. There would be a presentation on this accomplishment made at the Hilton Hotel, in West Palm Beach, on the February 16, 2008. Mr. Magazine offered to put the information on Boynton Beach TV. Chair Kaiser explained Mr. Oyer is like the town historian and was an honorary member. It was hoped he could attend and give additional information. Mr. Gavlick explained the guest speaker would be paid $7,500 for the appearance and the hall would hold 800. The Marine Corps and County Historical Society would take care of the cost for the Veterans and he thought it would be a great historical lesson for the members. VII. Comments from Visitors None. IX. Old Business a. Veterans Memorial at Bicentennial Park Chair Kaiser distributed a map of where the monument would be placed. The monument can not be placed in the center of the park. He reported the City was having a flagpole placed there. Now the City indicated it would be in the middle of the park. Chair Kaiser explained he had asked on several occasions if they, as a committee, could have a representative physically present with the architect to present feedback. The flagpole was being moved from behind the monument to in front of the monument and that was where the VIP's sit at the unveiling. He explained they would have a tent there. He expressed now the Veterans have to contact the City, or write a letter to Recreation and Parks reiterating their feelings that they should be involved with the monument because they were donating the monument to the City. They wanted some 2 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Committee Boynton Beach, Florida January 9, 2008 items correct. He explained now they have to have the flagpole relocated to the back of the monument. With the Veterans present, problems could be avoided. Chair Kaiser believed projects that started on time, ended on time. He wanted to know when the ground breaking would occur, and objected to not having any input into the monument. He thought they would not have the final word, but they could at least provide input. He elaborated the Veterans gave years of their life in service to the Country. Chair Kaiser asked for a motion sending a letter asking to be present on the grounds. He advised the submarine monument was placed on the perimeter of the grounds, which was not what the veterans had intended. They had intended it to be placed along side the monument. Motion Mr. Boruck moved to write a cordial letter to the City indicating their feelings about the matter. Mr. Washington seconded the motion that unanimously passed. They had already discussed the sale of bricks as a fund-raiser at a prior meeting. Mr. Magazine suggested obtaining samples of them and leaving them at the various Veteran posts so veterans could see what they look like. Chair Kaiser advised Harvey Oyer would be delivering the names of every veteran who was killed in Boynton Beach. He advised those individuals would be the initial set up of bricks which would be in a semi-circle. Originally it was thought they would be all around the monument. He also advised there would be four nice meditation benches in tile front. Chair Kaiser suggested at the next two meetings, they try to correct any problems that needed to be corrected with the monument. x. New Business a. Four Chaplains Day, Sunday, February 3, 2008, Location: First Presbyterian Church of Boynton Beach, 235 SW 6th Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida Chair Kaiser explained the Veterans undertake three activities each year, which were Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Four Chaplains Sunday. The Color Guard was a must for Four Chaplains Sunday. He advised, last year, they had a wonderful turnout and they need as many people as they can garner for the turnout this year. A draft program for Four Chaplains Sunday was sent to Chair Kaiser detailing who would be speaking. Ben Epstein, a Pearl Harbor survivor, was invited to speak but was not well and was out of state residing with family members. It was uncertain if he would be able to attend. The event was scheduled for Sunday, February 3, 2008. 3 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Committee Boynton Beach, Florida January 9, 2008 b. Memorial Day, May 25, Boynton Beach Memorial Cemetery Memorial Day was scheduled on May 25, 2007 at Boynton Beach Memorial Cemetery. He explained 1,500 Veterans were dying per day. c. Veterans' Memorial Unveiling, June 6,2008, Bicentennial Park (tentative) The unveiling of the monument would occur on June 6, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. Chair Kaiser emphasized becoming involved with the installation of the memorial. He was looking for a start date. Mr. Magazine explained the Veterans Advisory Commission has five honorary members with one-year terms. There were currently ten members listed. He requested the Veterans forward a list so he could forward it to the City Commission. Chair Kaiser noted some were deceased. Chair Kaiser suggested nominating the current list. Mr. Magazine explained the problem was there were 10 members and they were only allowed to have five. It was noted two of the honorary members were deceased. The Commission discussed Jerry Jones, an honorary member attended the meetings before they were officially a Commission, but he was not added as a member. Mr. Magazine advised there was also one alternate position open. The Disabled American Veteran (DAV) representative was missing. He thought if anyone knew of a DAV, to let them know; the only requirement was they be City residents. On a different matter, Chair Kaiser indicated they previously requested the highway department pave the street in front of the VFW and clean it up. He complimented the City on their doing a great job cleaning it up. He advised they also needed a sign for the back fence of the parking lot. Chair Kaiser advised he obtained a sign and when Public Works was ready, they would deliver it to them for installation. Mr. Magazine explained he would contact Mr. Livergood about the matter. Mr. Magazine explained the City was having difficulties filling advisory board positions. He requested members write a short testimonial about their service on the board and why it was worthwhile to serve. He thought it would be very helpful in attracting other citizens to participate on advisory boards. He would try to post it on the BBTV station. XI. Benediction, Moment of Silent Prayer Chair Kaiser thanked all to coming to the meeting. Chair Kaiser asked the members pray for Mr. Zimmermann, and advised Kramer Hegemen was in Hospice. Chair Kaiser gave the benediction and explained non-veterans can salute the flag. 4 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Committee Boynton Beach, Florida January 9, 2008 XII. Adjournment There was no further business to discuss. There was consensus to adjourn and the meeting adjourned at 10:43 a.m. 0(UjU.kU1CL CJJLPWf Catherine Cherry Recording Secretary 012508 5