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Minutes 05-13-09 MINUTES OF THE VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2009 AT 10:00 A.M. FIRE/POLICE TRAINING ROOM, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Thomas Kaiser, Chair Mark Bobich, Acting City Liaison Morris Boruck Thomas Krabill Lester McKenzie Stuart Preston, (arrived at 3:12 p.m.) Karl Washington Robert Zimmermann Stanley Gavlick, Alt. Rev. Richard Smith, Alt. Donald Lee Scantlan, Alt. ABSENT: Daryl Fuller, Alternate I. CALL TO ORDER – Tom Kaiser, Chairman Chair Kaiser called the meeting to order at 3:09 p.m. Mark Bobich advised Chuck Magazine, Board Liaison, was resting comfortably after a recent hospitalization. It was anticipated he would return to work in one or two weeks. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – All Hands The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance. III. INVOCATION – Designated Reverend Smith offered the invocation. IV. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS The Recording Secretary called the roll. A quorum was present. V. AGENDA APPROVAL, May 13, 2009 1 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Commission Boynton Beach, FL May 13, 2009 Motion Mr. Krabill moved to approve the agenda. Mr. Boruck seconded the motion that unanimously passed. VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, March 11, 2009 Motion Mr. Boruck moved to approve the minutes. Mr. Krabill seconded the motion that unanimously passed. VII. COMMENTS BY CHAIR Chair Kaiser commented a card would be sent to Mr. Magazine. VIII. COMMENTS FROM VISITORS Ken Vaine was present on behalf of his father who received a Bronze Star for his service in the Korean War. The medal was received through the mail in February. He thought it would be nice to have a presentation for him. He contacted Chair Kaiser who suggested he attend the Veterans Advisory Committee to see if someone could offer assistance. Mr. Vaine’s father suffered frostbit feet, loss of hearing and was on the front line for 13 months. He was 19 or 20 years old at the time. He never heard much about it from his father while he was growing up because it was such a horrific event for him. As his father aged; however, he heard more and more about it. He researched the 24th Division on-line and confirmed what he went through was horrific. Chair Kaiser explained the Veterans always look for something to enhance their program. He thought perhaps the Mayor, a Korean Air Force Veteran, presenting the medal at the ceremony would be a nice touch. Motion Mr. McKenzie so moved. Mr. Preston seconded the motion that unanimously passed. Mr. Vaine left information regarding his father with Chair Kaiser and explained his father was anticipating the medal but did not know it was received. He had already received five major battle stars. He was ill with cancer and more recently, has been sick often. Mr. Vaine wanted to do something nice for his father. Receiving the Bronze Star at a ceremony would be a surprise. IX. OLD BUSINESS: Open discussion. 2 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Commission Boynton Beach, FL May 13, 2009 Chair Kaiser recounted last fall, they unveiled the monument, dedicated the park and held the Four Chaplains Ceremony there, which was the first time the ceremony was held outside of a church or temple. He advised it worked out very nicely. He complimented the City for allowing them to use the tent. X. NEW BUSINESS: a. Placing Flag on the Grave, May 22nd, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. at Boynton Cemetery. The Veterans planned to place the Flags on the Graves, Friday morning, May 22, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. Chair Kaiser requested urging others from their posts to volunteer their time, even if they arrived at 10:00 a.m. The children from St. Joseph’s School were invited, but he has not received a response. th b. Memorial Day Observation, May 24 at 2:00 p.m. at Boynton Cemetery. New Monuments discussion. Chair Kaiser requested the members arrive early. There would be a tent and the Color Guard could organize there. All organizations should compile a list of those who passed during the year so the names could be read at the event. Lists should be submitted to Jerry Weiss of the Disabled American Veterans and Karl Washington was the recipient. They would have great food at the American Legion Post 164 after the event and all were invited to attend. Beverages would be available. Sodas were free. Chair Kaiser announced they would also try to get flowers for the monument at Federal Highway. Lake Worth Monument was asked to create a monument commemorating Pearl Harbor and provide a price. He indicated when WW II is mentioned to the average person, they think of Pearl Harbor. Half the people who died at Pearl Harbor remain in the U.S.S. Arizona. Anyone that served could be cremated when they passed, brought to the harbor and a Navy diver would take them down and place their remains in a room so the men could be with their comrades. The Pearl Harbor monument would be the same size as the other monuments and a depiction of the ship and its history would be inscribed. Chair Kaiser advised he contacted the high school history department to develop text depicting the history of the event, but no response was received. It was noted perhaps another high school could assist in the effort. The plaque was wordy and since people do not like to read, the inscription needed to be shortened. He advised Post 164 and others paid for the monument, which they wanted to unveil on December 7, 2009. Chair Kaiser requested if anyone could think of a better concept than the U.S.S. Arizona to represent Pearl Harbor, to make a suggestion. It was discussed the first ship to be attacked was the U.S.S. Louisville. Reverend Smith noted the U.S.S. Arizona was not the main target. They were hitting all of the ships. Chair Kaiser agreed, but it was the 3 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Commission Boynton Beach, FL May 13, 2009 Arizona that was hit in just a certain way that of the casualties, most were sustained on that ship. Motion Mr. Preston moved to bring the Arizona/Pearl Harbor memorial to the park. Mr. Krabill seconded the motion that unanimously passed. Chair Kaiser reiterated the Pearl Harbor Memorial would be presented to the City Commission for approval on May 19, 2009 and asked the members to attend with their caps. The Veterans sit in the audience and an easel would display the proposed monument. He indicated if Veterans are not out in the public, they are forgotten. The Veterans were going to invite the children in Boynton Beach to visit the park and spend about 15 to 20 minutes speaking to the Veterans and viewing the monuments. Chair Kaiser commented he was visiting the WW I Memorial in Washington D.C. He advised the memorial needed maintenance and was a disgrace. He thought the Veterans should remember WW I the same way Veterans 40 years from now should remember their military predecessors. Chair Kaiser explained in October 1918, WW I was almost over. The 77th Division, the Lost Battalion, became surrounded. There were no telephones then and they used homing pigeons to communicate, which were systematically shot down. On the last day, they released their last pigeon, only to watch it be shot down; however, the bird survived and flew to its destination. There is now a memorial to the pigeon in France. Chair Kaiser requested the members bring their suggestions for a WW I monument. He would like to order two monuments in order to save money. The second monument could sit until they decided what would be placed on it. The Smithsonian Institute has the same monument to WW I as France. Chair Kaiser was praised for his efforts and leadership. Chair Kaiser responded he loved what he was doing and noted the crowds were getting larger and larger at the park when they have events there. The Eternal Flame memorial donated by the late Commissioner Ensler is in disrepair and will be repaired at no charge. Black granite was not strong. Epoxy adhesive and drill bolts would be used to repair it. The only thing holding the front of the monument on was the plaques. Chair Kaiser also commented they spoke to the City about the flagpole being in the wrong place at the park. As a matter of protocol, flagpoles are located to the right of the speaker 4 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Commission Boynton Beach, FL May 13, 2009 Mr. McKenzie, whose wife was ill, indicated he would like to try to stay on the Commission, where previously he indicated he would resign. XI. BENEDICTION, MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER Reverend Smith gave the Benediction. XII. NEXT BOARD MEETING - July 8, 2009 at 10:00 am, subject to change. XIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, the meeting properly adjourned at 3:47 p.m. &H1vWYLL CliwuJ Catherine Cherry 0 Recording Secretary 052209 5