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Minutes 11-09-11 MINUTES OF THE VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011, AT 10:00 AM AT CITY HALL, CONFERENCE ROOM B, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Tom Kaiser, Chair Chuck Magazine, City Liaison John Farrington Lester McKinzie Stuart Preston Frank Bregoli, Alt William Mitchell. Alt Stanley Gavlick, Alt ABSENT: James Bowman Bridget Roberts Karl Washington, Alt I. CALL TO ORDER — Tom Kaiser, Chairman Chair Kaiser called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — All Hands The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. III. INVOCATION — Designated Chair Kaiser gave the invocation, followed by a moment of silent reflection. IV. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Roll call was taken. A quorum was present. V. AGENDA APPROVAL, November 9, 2011 Motion Mr. Gavlick moved to approve the agenda. Mr. Farrington seconded the motion that unanimously passed. 1 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Commission Boynton Beach, FL November 9, 2011 VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, September 14, 2011 Motion Mr. Gavlick moved to approve the minutes. Mr. Farrington seconded the motion that unanimously passed. VII. COMMENTS a. Chair Chair Kaiser distributed a handout of the activities for the Veterans Day Celebration on November 11, 2011 at 10 a.m. and the 70th Anniversary Commemoration of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 2011 at 12 p.m. at Veterans Bicentennial Park. b. Members or Visitors None. VIII. OLD BUSINESS: a. Veterans' Bicentennial Park Events i. National POW /Mia Remembrance Vigil, Boy Scouts, Friday, September 16, 2011 Chair Kaiser stated the vigil was successful and received good press coverage. This was the first vigil held in Boynton Beach, and the Boy Scouts loved participating in it. Other Boy Scout Troops would be involved in it next year, and the veterans would ask the City to allow them to hold a bigger event next year. It made the Scouts and the City look good and helped make Boynton Beach the leader in the State for veterans events. Events were held throughout the year, not just on two or three occasions. ii. Veterans' Day, Friday November 11, 2011 iii. Afghanistan War Monument & Pearl Harbor 70th Anniversary Commemoration, Wednesday, December 7, 2011 Chair Kasier explained there would be approximately 18 veterans receiving medals from the French government at this ceremony, and the Afghanistan War Monument and a granite bench, donated by Don Scantlan, would be unveiled. The bench would honor the Night Stalkers, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Chair Kaiser noted The Night Stalkers were portrayed in the movie Black Hawk Down. They were shot down in Somalia. Whenever helicopters behind enemy lines were needed, the Night Stalkers and Navy Seals were used. The Navy Seals, Team 6 and the Night Stalkers emblems would be on the bench, next to the Afghanistan Monument. 2 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Commission Boynton Beach, FL November 9, 2011 At 7 p.m., on December 7, 2011, the Captain of the U.S.S. New York would be present for a ceremony at Ascension Lutheran Church. Chair Kaiser pointed out the U.S.S. New York has five tons of steel from the Twin Towers built into its hull. American Legion Post 164 members would serve as Honor Guards at the ceremony, and the members were asked to wear their caps and bring guests to the one -hour event. A flyer and press release would be issued. Chair Kaiser commented 50 to 60 Veterans would receive medals. As a result, the Veterans Advisory Commission (VAC) asked the City to open the Civic Center for the event. The City had accepted chairs from the veterans which would be set up and broken down by the members. Other ceremonies when medals would be presented were planned for January 19, February 5, March 1, and April 11, 2012. Chair Kaiser explained he and Mr. Gavlick met with the City Manager who agreed to make a proposal to the City Commission regarding monuments at the park. She and the Mayor had endorsed monuments to honor the Army, Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard services. The location for the Coast Guard monument would be between the Vietnam and Black Veterans monuments so each side would have monuments and benches facing one another completing that side of the park. The monument was planned for June 6, 2012. A proposal will also be made to the City Commission for the VAC to commemorate Guadalcanal, on August 5th or 7th. Guadalcanal was the site of the first major offensive launched against Japan. The monument to the U.S. Marine Corps was planned to be installed at no cost to the City. Motion Mr. Farrington moved to make the proposal. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion that unanimously passed. a. Speaker per Don ScantIan b. U.S. Rep. Allen West invitation iv. Four Chaplains Commemoration, February 5, 2012, 2 p.m., Temple Beth Kodesh v. Iraqi War Monument & D -Day Anniversary Commemoration, June 6, 2012 French dignitaries would be present at the Memorial Day event. The flags would be placed at the cemetery the Friday before and Chair Kaiser would approach the Church to enlist the assistance of the youth. b. Donated flags and poles along center walkway (awaiting funding & written proposal) Stuart Preston had three more Interment Flags. The first flag, which was donated by Harold Smith wore out. Mr. Smith had also donated $30,000 for the Korean Monument. 3 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Commission Boynton Beach, FL November 9, 2011 Special announcements about the flag being appropriately retired and about Mr. Smith's donation would be made at the Post on June 14th. A press release would be issued. c. Honorary Member Appointments Chair Kaiser had given an updated list to Mr. Bobich, and clarified the changes were to remove the names of William Andrea; Mrs. Pitts, a Gold Star Mother; Admiral Morris; and Jerry Jones. Motion Mr. Farrington moved to update the list. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion that unanimously passed. d. Veterans' Bicentennial Park Name Change — Name Change Review Committee Chair Kaiser stated the members voted at the September meeting to change the name of the Boynton Beach Veterans Bicentennial Park to Boynton Beach Veterans Memorial Park. Mr. Magazine explained the Committee responsible to review name changes to parks conducted an email vote and the request was supported. The request would be placed on the next City Commission agenda, and it was anticipated the request would be approved. It was hoped the name change would be completed by December 7, 2011. e. Park Brochure & Fundraisers Chair Kaiser explained more bricks were needed and the last 100 bricks were being used. He pointed out the French Government bought a brick and anyone can donate or purchase them. The cost was $50. Mr. Magazine commented bricks cannot be picked up and moved around at the Park. If changes needed to be made, they must be made through the Recreation and Parks Department. Chair Kaiser pointed out schools are becoming involved with the park and tours are given. There were no comments received on the brochure. IX. New Business: a. Veterans' Bicentennial Park Flag relocation Chair Kaiser explained he and Mr. Gavlick had several meetings with Ms. LaVerriere, Interim City Manager, and Mayor Rodriguez. Ms. LaVerriere met with them to review plans the VAC had for the park. The flagpole obstructed the view of the monument and there was agreement the pole would be moved to the side of the monument. Chair Kaiser commented the park looks much bigger with the flagpole off to the side and it was where it was originally supposed to be. 4 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Commission Boynton Beach, FL November 9, 2011 b. Other There was brief discussion on the design of the monuments and what information would be contained on them. There was also discussion about the Air Force monument. An air show was scheduled in Stuart and the Air Force has a booth at the event. Some of the members would be attending and Chair Kaiser would make contact with them. It was hoped an Air Force organization would help subsidize the cost of the monument. X. Benediction, Moment of Silent Prayer Chair Kaiser gave the Benediction. XI. Next Board Meeting — Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 10 a.m. XI. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Farrington moved to adjourn. The motion was duly seconded and unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 a.m. XII. Ethics Training Session — Mandatory C� L l ' , u Catherine Cherry Recording Secretary 110911 5