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Minutes 08-21-13 MINUTES OF THE VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION HELD ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2013 AT 10:OOAM, IN THE CITY HALL, CONFERENCE ROOM B 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BOULEVARD, BOYNTON BEACH FLORIDA PRESENT: Tom Kaiser, Chair Lt. John Bonafair, Board Liaison Steve Anton James Bowman Frank Bregoli Stanley Gavlic Robert Manson Roberto Moreno Bridget Roberts Karl Washington Dottie Moore (Alt) Kurt Leuchter (Alt) ABSENT: Victor Norfus Stuart Preston I. CALL TO ORDER — Tom Kaiser, Chairman Chair Kaiser called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. 11. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — All Hands The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. III. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS The Recording Coordinator called the roll A quorum was present. Pietera Siegler of the Boy Scouts was present. IV. INVOCATION Chair Kaiser gave the invocation V. AGENDA APPROVAL The approval of the agenda was not addressed by the Board. 1 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Commission Boynton Beach, FL. August 21, 2013 VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Copies of the minutes from the last meeting on May 13, 2013 were distributed, however, there was no review or discussion. Chair Kaiser reviewed the agenda of upcoming events, explaining the one event requiring discussion was the dedication of the 9/11 monument. Chair Kaiser spoke with representatives from Lake Worth Monument yesterday and learned there is no definite date set for the arrival of the 9/11 monument. Other pending events are as follows: • September 20 — Boy Scouts Troop 395 MIA/POW Vigil beginning at 5:00 p.m. and ending at 10:00 a.m. on September 21S This is the third year the Boy Scouts are participating in this vigil. They walk all night. The purpose of this vigil is to remember the Missing in Action and Prisoners of War for all of the wars. There are many MIAs and POWs in Iraq and Afghanistan. The dedication of the 9/11 monument is possible on either September 20 or September 21 Mr. Kaiser said there is approximately 10 feet of space between the Afghanistan and Iraq monuments. A four foot square concrete surface will be put in place between and to the rear of the two monuments and the 9/11 monument will be installed in that triangular space. Chief Carter was present and supported this proposal. Chief Carter provided a copy of how the monument would look like and noted there was only one correction required from the first document provided which was the transposition of a number by Lake Worth Monument. When asked about the anticipated completion date of the monument, Chief Carter reported Lake Worth Monument had originally provided a 60 to 90 day delivery date when the order was placed. However, they were not able to guarantee a delivery date until the granite was received. Chair Kaiser expressed it would be ideal if the monument were ready for dedication on September 22 because the tent and chairs could be set up on Friday for the ceremony on Saturday. Unfortunately, it did not appear likely this would occur. • October 23 — The unveiling of the U.S. Navy Memorial will take place at 11:00 a.m. This will be the anniversary of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle in history. Chair Kaiser advised if the French provided any names, a ceremony would be held to distribute the medals. If the names were not available at that time, then it would be taken care of on November 11 2 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Commission Boynton Beach, FL. August 21, 2013 • November 11 — The unveiling of the Unknown Soldier Memorial will take place at 10:00 a.m. If the 9/11 Memorial arrives in time for Pearl Harbor Day on December 7 Chair Kaiser felt it would be a good opportunity to combine a ceremony to remember that event as well as the dedication of the 9/11 Memorial. No plans can be made at this time. Mr. Galvic felt all of the monuments should be uniform in size; however, it was noted that as long as there already was one oversized monument, one additional oversized monument could be added since the Unknown Soldier Memorial needs to be slightly wider. Chair Kaiser referred to the agenda that wished the members happy holidays through New Year's and advised that if a ceremony is planned for December 7 the members would be notified well in advance. Chief Carter reconfirmed that the Fire Department raised enough money for the installation. In addition, there is funding for the tent, chairs, refreshments, port-o- potties, etc. Any money remaining will be donated to the Board to be used for the next monument. When asked if any of those remaining funds would be used to purchase flagpoles, Chair Kaiser responded that the group from Valencia Point donated $700 for the Board to purchase six flagpoles which will have permanent sockets in the ground. There will be a seven footer and two six footers that telescope. The flags will not fly permanently but will be used for ceremonies. During ceremonies, the Armed Forces flags will be flying throughout the park. It will be necessary for the City to dig two foot holes in the ground that are a foot wide with a two foot stem. It would sit low enough in the ground so that it would not be in the way of mowing. Chair Kaiser moved onto next year in regards to the Four Chaplins, which will be held at the Presbyterian Church on Sunday, February 2 nd between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. There will be refreshments afterwards and arrangements have already been secured. The park needs to have more ceremonies held each year and going forward. The Four Chaplins ceremony, as well as other ceremonies like June 6 will be held there. The Veterans Council will meet on the second Wednesday in November instead of September Mr James Bowman, board member and representing the Boy Scouts, mentioned that he is now overseeing all of Palm Beach County Scouting Operations. Mr. Bowman asked the board to consider partnering the Scouts with the municipalities as well as any military service organizations. 3 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Commission Boynton Beach, FL. August 21, 2013 Chair Kaiser commented that the Scouts have always been very helpful and asked the board to think about taking in a Boy Scout or Cub Scout Troop. Mr. Galvic asked if perhaps the Boy Scouts could help clean up the big monument in the park that seems to be getting dirty from the sprinklers; however, Chair Kaiser wanted it to go on record that the monument is not dirty but rather getting wet from seepage coming from the back. Lt. John Bonafair thought the sprinkler can be diverted so that it stops hitting the monument and will look into correcting this problem. Pietera Siegler also of the Boy Scouts wanted to let the board know it is not necessary to have a unit partner with the programs, but members can offer their knowledge, hobbies, passion, etc., to teach merit badges. Five Scouts at a time can come, and depending on the requirements, can achieve merit badges. Ms Moore also commented that Big Brothers can play a role in helping the Boy Scouts as well Chair Kaiser mentioned his daughter who volunteers at the Carver Middle School. The children are making bookmarkers that they hope to give to everyone attending the Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11 The Valencia Point group can help distribute them. VII. BENEDICTION, MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER Chair Kaiser gave the benediction, followed by a silent prayer. VI11. NEXT BOARD MEETING WILL BE IN NOVEMBER IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting properly ad' urn d at 10:27 a. m. race Morales Records Coordinator 8/22 - 8/23/2013 2 hours 4 FALL AND WINTER UPDATE 2013- 2014 SEPTEMBER SOMETIME 9 -11 MEMORIAL UNVEILING SEPTEMBER 20 -21 BOY SCOUT TROOP 395 MIA /POW VIGIL 5PM SEPTEMBER 21 END OF VIGIL POSSIBLE 9 -11 DEDICATION 10 AM OCTOBER 23, 2013 UNVEILING US NAVY MEMORIAL 11 AM NOVEMBER 11 UNVEILING OF UNKNOWN SOLDIER MEMORIAL 10 - HAPPY THANKSGIVING MERRY CHRISTMAS HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014 FEBRUARY 2, 2014 4 CHAPLAINS DAY POSSIBLE PRESBETERIAN CHURCH IN BOYNTON BEACH 2 PM 1 r44AJ P- 0 0 I N 11 p, 0 C9 C*4 0 04 l 8 a: cr. z Uj LU OZ > �M L.0 LLI u fil Co Z p Lu HoW w MIM 01 U) W !S8 ke Reg 3 !A t pi K w nfl aWl