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Minutes 11-10-09 MINUTES OF THE VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2009 AT 3:00 P.M. CITY HALL, CONFERENCE ROOM B, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Thomas Kaiser, Chair Stuart Preston Karl Washington Stanley Gavlick, Alt. Donald Lee Scantlan, Alt. Rev. Richard Smith, Alt. Morris Soruck Chuck Magazine, City Liaison ABSENT: Thomas Krabill Lester McKinzie Daryl Fuller, Alternate Robert Zimmermann I. CALL TO ORDER - Tom Kaiser, Chairman Chair Kaiser called the meeting to order at 3:07 p.m. 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. It was noted Daryl Fuller resigned. Mr. Magazine advised Mr. Fuller needed to submit his resignation in writing. V. AGENDA APPROVAL 1 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Commission Boynton Beach, FL November 10, 2009 Motion Mr. Scantlan moved to approve the agenda. Mr. Gavlick seconded the motion that unanimously passed. VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion Mr. Boruck moved to approve the minutes. The motion was duly seconded and the motion unanimously passed. VII. COMMENTS BY CHAIR Chair Kaiser explained absenteeism was an ongoing issue and Mr. Krabill's term would expire in a few weeks. If that occurred, Mr. Scantlan could be moved up. The City Commission would be making their appointments the first meeting in December. It was noted the Veterans Advisory Commission only meets five or six times a year. Mr. Magazine advised the Honorary positions were also supposed to be renewed every year. He requested the members review the Honorary members' list and provide him with the names that could be renewed. The City Commission could reappoint them after the first of the year. Chair Kaiser announced the Eagle monument by the American Legion Post was repaired. He reported it looked great and thanked the City for trimming and maintaining the landscaping there. VIII. COMMENTS FROM VISITORS None. IX. OLD BUSINESS a. Veterans' Day Observance, Bicentennial Park, November 11, 2009 Chair Kaiser advised Veterans' Day was a big event and he has been inundated with phone calls about it. Mr. Magazine also received information about who would be attending the reception after the ceremony. The event would be held at 10:00 a.m. and the reception would be held at 11 :30 a.m. to 1 :00 p.m. at Intracoastal Park Clubhouse. i. Unveiling World War I Monument at Bicentennial Park ii. French Legion of Honor Awards 2 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Commission Boynton Beach, FL November 10, 2009 Chair Kaiser explained they were presenting Foreign Colors for the first time at the ceremony. The Color Guard must be there before 9:30 a.m. Two large tents would accommodate 250 people. The tent in the middle would accommodate the 25 honorees. In front of them would be the normal VIPs. When the ceremony is over, they would turn the program over to the French, who would announce the honorees. The Boy Scouts would escort the honorees to the dignitary. The citation would be read and the honoree would be presented with the medal. If they were not done by 10:55 a.m., they would honor the French Consul by allowing him to unveil the monument along with the Mayor. Chair Kaiser announced they had two permanent wreaths, but they need at least three. Chair Kaiser explained the procedure and that the programs were being created. There would be a firing squad and TAPS would be played. He also advised the Girl Scouts would also be attending the event. b. Additional Monuments at Bicentennial Park i. Unveiling Pearl Harbor Monument, December 7,2009 II. Korean War Monument, June 2010, City Commission Approved iii. Vietnam War Monument, November 2010, Planned iv. Gulf War Monument, Planned v. Afghanistan War Monument, Planned VI. Iraq War Monument, Planned Chair Kaiser announced he received a phone call from a woman who wanted to purchase a Desert Storm monument. The Korean War Monument would be installed June 25th. They would have a simple ceremony like they normally have. Parking passes would be available at the Post and those being honored should receive a pass. Members were urged to take the shuttle bus at Bank of America or park at the church and walk one block. The Pearl Harbor unveiling would take place on December 7, 2009 and would have a shorter service. Chair Kaiser advised Pearl Harbor was attacked at 7:55 p.m. and the ceremony and unveiling would take place at 12:55 p.m. Members were urged to be present by 12:30 p.m. There would be a firing squad, TAPS, and a Benediction. On February 7,2010 the Four Chaplains Ceremony would take place. There would be a Veterans' Advisory Commission meeting in January and they could discuss the event then. All of the monument ceremonies would be held on anniversaries, which could garner maximum press and television coverage. A year from now, they would have the Vietnam Memorial which would be remembered on Veterans' Day. Desert Storm, which 3 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Commission Boynton Beach, FL November 10, 2009 occurred close to Four Chaplains Sunday would be combined. It was noted this would be the only park in the United States that has every war covered. Additionally, the City Manager would like Afghanistan and Iraq commemorated also. Chair Kaiser was in the process of discussing having school children take tours of the park, and was speaking to St. Marks school about it. It was hoped other schools would become involved and Chair Kaiser commented he would like to obtain a list of the schools and contact them. Chair Kaiser advised years ago, the Boy Scouts pitched tents and encamped around a memorial on Long Island. The Disabled American Veterans monitored the event for 24 hours which ended with a ceremony. Chair Kaiser wanted to discuss holding the same event with the Veterans Council. There was discussion of the Lebanon Barracks, Desert One and other events. Chair Kaiser responded they had the Lebanon Bench, which was covered at every service with an American Flag and as the ceremony progressed, the flag was folded in honor of the Beirut Bombing. Fort Hood was also mentioned in the program. It was noted there were several operations that were not mentioned such as Grenada and an operation in Nicaragua in 1923 as well; however, insurrections could not be covered. Each monument was $1,500 and if they fund raised for it, the Chair would assist. All monuments had to be presented to the City Commission first. There was also discussion about the City wanting to do the monuments in pairs so they can do the plaques. It was thought they were covering major engagements. If something else was wanted, the member should submit the request in writing and it would be brought to the City Commission for approval. To date, the only monuments approved were WW I, Pearl Harbor and the Korean War. The monuments planned but not yet submitted to the City for approval were the Vietnam, Gulf, Afghan and Iraqi Wars. Chair Kaiser suggested a motion be made to ask the City to accept a gift from them of the monument to those four wars. If there was another monument ready to be presented, it would be added for submission. It was commented the Korean Monument was paid for but the Korean War Veterans were expected to contribute to the next monument since someone else paid for theirs. c. Sale of bricks at Veteran's Memorial, Bicentennial Park d. Other X. New Business: a. Four Chaplains Observance, St. Mark Church, February 2010. b. Other XI. Benediction, Moment of Silent Prayer 4 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Commission Boynton Beach, FL November 10, 2009 Chair Kaiser gave the Benediction. XII. Next Board Meeting - Wednesday, January 13,2010 at 10:00 a.m. XIII. Adjournment There being no further business before the Board, the meeting properly adjourned at 3:43 p.m. ~Vv}~(ljjAj)'J~ Catherine Cherry ~,--..-v 7 Recording Secretary 5