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Minutes 11-13-13 MINUTES OF THE VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION HELD ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2013 AT 10:00 A.M., IN CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM B 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BOULEVARD, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Tom Kaiser, Chair Lt John Bonafair, Board Liaison Frank Bregoli Stuart Preston Bridget Roberts Karl Washington Stanley Gavlic, Alternate Robert Manson, Alternate ABSENT: Steve Anton James Bowman Roberto Moreno, Alternate I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Kaiser called the meeting to order at 10:03 a m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — All Hands The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. III. INVOCATION Chair Kaiser gave the invocation IV. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS The Recording Secretary called the roll. A quorum was present. V. AGENDA Approval of the agenda was not discussed by the Board. Chair Kaiser announced the schedule for the coming year. The January meeting will take place on January 15 at 10:00 a.m. The Four Chaplins will take place on February 02, 2014 beginning at 2 p m. at the First Presbyterian Church There will be a full Color Guard. Coffee and cake will be served at the conclusion. If anyone knows of any 1 MEETING MINUTES VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 13, 2013 retired clergy please reach out to them to possibly attend. Chair Kaiser commented there is a pastor from Abbey Delray but he cannot help out for Veterans Day, Memorial Day or the Four Chaplins due to his busy schedule. The priest is very seldom available to help because they lost their Sunday staff. Mr. Bregoli commented one of the Priests at St. Mark's is a retired military Chaplin. Chair Kaiser said he would talk to Father Richard to reach out to the Chaplin. Mr. Preston stated he is the Chaplin for Post 164 and would be glad to help out. Chair Kaiser responded Mr. Preston can fill in for anyone that cannot attend On December 7, 2013, beginning at 10 a.m., the unveiling of the 9/11 monument hosted by the Fire Department will take place in the Park. This is a big day and there should be lots of flags, everyone in uniform and all of the fire houses in Boynton Beach should be invited as well Chief Carter was present and commented they are looking forward to the ceremony. The event has been advertised and it was announced at the last City Commission meeting. People are calling asking for information. Invitations will be going out to all the Fire Departments in South Florida asking for a representative to attend Chair Kaiser suggested the Fire Commissioner of New York City be invited. Chief Carter replied the invitation has been extended although they do not expect him to attend. The 9/11 Foundation who donated a piece of steel will be there. There will only be 2 -3 speakers so it does not take away from the actual ceremony. We also want to remember December 7 th which is a very significant date in history. The two dates connect to each other (9/11 and December 7 ) because these were two acts of war on U.S soil by a foreign power. The March meeting for the Veterans Advisory Commission is scheduled for March 12, 2014 at 10:00 a.m May 14, 2014 at 10 a.m the City meeting for the Veterans Advisory Commission is scheduled. On May 23, 2014 there will be the Decorating of the Graves at the Boynton Beach Cemetery beginning at 8 a m There will be a supply of soda and water. The group from Valencia Pointe will be on hand to help escort people from their cars. They have given the City their check for the flagpoles that have been ordered. The flagpoles will be installed and ready on December 7 This will enhance the look of the Park 100 %. On May 25, 2014, the Memorial Day ceremony will be held at the cemetery at 2 p.m. The American Legion has a coalition afterwards with hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks. This is not advertised because in past years people only wanted to know where the American Legion was and would not attend the cemetery ceremony. There will be Color Guards in attendance. Last year there were three television stations and newspapers for great coverage. Chair Kaiser stated he will talk to St Joseph's Church to see if the children can attend this year. Chair Kaiser also mentioned giving a plaque of appreciation to the Church for always being willing to help. The Veterans Commission donates to the Boy Scouts nine times a year when they have their breakfasts The Board donated jumbo eggs and four pounds of bacon to their last 2 MEETING MINUTES VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 13, 2013 breakfast. The Board does whatever it can for the Scouts because they are always there for the Veterans Chair Kaiser wanted to discuss the park underutilization. The Board has put a lot of time and money into the Park over the past 5 to 6 years. Approximately $100,000 was raised over that time and it is not being used as much as it could be. Only one event per year, Veterans Day, is celebrated in the Park. There needs to be a push on holding more events in the Park, Two important dates to hold events at the Park are June 6, 2014 (D -day) and December 14, 2013 (Battle of the Bulge). This would make at least three events per year held at the Park. The Four Chaplins could easily be moved to the Park as well. Chair Kaiser asked for a motion to come up with dates to hold more events at the Park. MOTION Mr Bregoli moved to research more dates for more events to be held at the Park. Mr. Preston seconded the motion that passed unanimously. To reiterate, Friday, June 6, 2014 beginning at 10 a m., there will be a ceremony to recognize the 70 Anniversary of D -day Landings at the Park. This is also the 72nd Anniversary of the Battle of Midway. Chair Kaiser wanted to mention Karl Washington has been re- instated as a full member VI. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Preston read into the record a letter dated May 1, 2013 that was sent to Gunner Kent, General of Foreign Wars: "Dear Gunner: In accordance with Section 209 of the National By -laws and manual procedures in the Department of Florida By -Laws, Boynton and Lantana VFW Post 5335 Boynton Beach, Florida, and Leisureville VFW Post 10150 Boynton Beach, Florida, have voted to consolidate The consolidated post will be Boynton and Lantana VFW Post 5335 at 500 NE 21 Avenue, Boynton Beach, FL. Mailing address is the same. I have enclosed copies of the minutes from the meetings of Post 5335 and Post 10150 for each post voted on the consolidation. We request a certificate of charter be issued reciting the facts of consolidation." The letter was signed by William J. Goll, Quarter Master. Chair Kaiser reminded Chief Carter there should be port-o- potties at the event on December 7 Chief Carter asked Chair Kaiser to make arrangements for one handicap 3 MEETING MINUTES VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 13, 2013 port -o -potty and one regular port-o -potty The Fire Department will reimburse Chair Kaiser Chair Kaiser also suggested Chief Carter think about purchasing a couple of wreaths for each side of the monument. Chief Carter agreed that would be a good idea. Mr Bregoli requested copies of the Board's roster be sent via email along with the minutes. The Recording Secretary will send a copy to all members. VII. BENEDICTION, MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER Chair Kaiser gave the benediction, followed by a silent prayer. VIII. NEXT BOARD MEETING WILL BE HEL ON JANUARY 15, 2014 IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at10 / > Grace Morales Records Coordinator 11/14/13 2 hours 4