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Minutes 11-12-14 MINUTES OF THE VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING HELD IN CONFERENCE ROOM B, CITY HALL 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BOULEVARD, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014, AT 10:00 A.M. PRESENT: Tom Kaiser, Chair Jeff Livergood, Board Liaison James Bowman Frank Bregoli Bridget Roberts Stanley Gavlick, Alternate ABSENT: Steve Anton Stuart Presston Karl Washington Jeffrey Korentur Robert Manson Kenneth Nichols I. CALL TO ORDER — Tom Kaiser, Chairman 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 — Designated Chair Kaiser gave the invocation. IV. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Roll call established a quorum was present. Also present were Kurt Leucher, Arnold May, from the Valencia Point Men's Club, and Eric Hanson from Home Depot. Chair Kaiser advised Karl Washington was not feeling well, but would send in his application. He would be present later in the meeting. Chair Kaiser requested Kenneth Nichols not be marked as absent because he may not have been notified of his appointment. Jeff Livergood, Board Liaison, advised all members whose terms would expire received a letter at home about resubmitting their applications. Veterans Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Boynton Beach, Florida November 12, 2014 V. AGENDA APPROVAL, November 12, 2014 VI. APROVAL OF MINUTES, September 10, 2014 The minutes were deferred to the January meeting. VII. COMMENTS A. Chair Chair Kaiser advised about $100,000 was spent on the Park which is six years old and needs attention. Veterans Day is celebrated at Jaycee Park, Memorial Day is at the Cemetery, and they use a church or temple for the Four Chaplains event. He recommended holding the Four Chaplains event at Veterans Memorial Park (VMP) on the first Sunday in February. He commented it would cost a few hundred dollars for a small tent and podium. The Four Chaplains monument was the most expensive monument in place, due to the plaque. The event would be held at 2 p.m. in afternoon. Chair Kaiser requested a motion the Committee endorse holding the Four Chaplains event at VMP on the first Sunday in February every year, at 2 p.m. Motion Mr. Bregoli so moved. Ms. Roberts seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The Boy Scouts will be at VMP on November 11 on Friday and Saturday with tents. Two TV stations provided coverage of the last event and printed two photos in the paper. Boy Scouts came up from Boca Raton and Chair Kaiser sought to make the Park a great place for Scouts to conduct training exercises. Chair Kaiser proposed to hold the D -Day event at VMP on June 6 every year. He thought the event would draw at least 100. Chair Kaiser asked for a motion that June 6th, D -Day, be observed at the Park every year. Motion Mr. Bregoli so moved. Mr. Gavlick seconded the motion that unanimously passed. Chair Kaiser advised on December 16 they will honor Pearl Harbor and drape the monument with the Flag as well as the Battle of the Bulge monument thereafter. If French Officials are available, Chair Kaiser will incorporate them into the program. The French Consulate was recognizing veterans and presenting medals only once a year, but veterans were dying before receiving them. Chair Kaiser also announced he will Y g invite Belgium Dignitaries to issue braided cords to those in the Battle of the Bulge. If they attend, Mr. Preston would receive one. Chair Kaiser explained if veterans received the French Medal of Honor, it was automatic they would receive the Belgium Cord. 2 Veterans Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Boynton Beach, Florida November 12, 2014 Mr. Livergood summarized the four events at VMP on an annual basis where the public is invited and the press is notified as: February 1 Four Chaplains, June 6 D -Day, November 11 — Veterans Day and December 16 Battle of the Bulge combined with Pearl Harbor Day. There will be a 5 event at the Park for a Boy Scout training exercising event. Chair Kaiser read the year -end report and thanked all who attend the ceremonies. He noted more and more of the Commissioners attend as well as people from Valencia Pointe and Home Depot. Mr. Hanson, a representative from Home Depot, advised that through the City's Adopt -a -Park program, they officially adopted Veterans Park and would maintain it for years to come. Mr. Hanson advised they were starting to plan next year's events, and would like at least two projects with the City and Veterans involved. They would like to help Mr. Nichols enhance the Memorial in the round -about by American Legion Post 164. He requested Mr. Nichols' support and guidance in advising what they want to accomplish so they could determine the scope of work and obtain the City's permission. They would also like the Veterans' Advisory Committee's guidance on what they want to see enhanced, get another scope of work and obtain the City's approval. Chair Kaiser explained the City planted shrubs by the American Legion Post, but they were overgrown. Mr. Livergood commented it could be enhanced and Chair Kaiser advised whatever they could do was fine. The members thanked Mr. Hanson. B. Members or visitors Mr. May explained three weeks ago, the Valencia Pointe Men's Club held a food drive for the veteran's food pantry. They obtained a lot of food and Dottie Moore gave a check for additional items to ensure the pantry was stacked for Thanksgiving and Christmas. They prepared an article and circulated it to the Men's Club recognizing Ms. Moore's contribution to the veterans and mentioning it at the ceremony. On a local level, Chair Kaiser felt it was important to help veterans needing assistance. He advised he received a donation of $50 from a woman which was spent on food. Additionally, he would donate three turkeys to the American Legion which holds an open house Chair Kaiser advised there is a Post of Black Veterans that lost their Charter who were invited to dinner at Post 164. He complained to Congressman Hastings, that there was not one Legion of Honor Medal given to a black soldier, and they were on the front line in Italy. Congressman Hastings would research the matter and spread the word, and Chair Kaiser would try to get Post 288 reinstated. Chair Kaiser advised, over the years, the Legion had to take the Charter, but were willing to give it back immediately. It was important with Thanksgiving and the upcoming holidays to remember their brothers in arms. 3 Veterans Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Boynton Beach, Florida November 12, 2014 VIII. Old Business: A. Veterans Memorial Park Events The members had previously discussed the Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge event on December 16, 2014. In reference to the Glenn Miller Tribute, Board Member Jim Bowman, commented he does not perform Glenn Miller, but does Sinatra and patriotic songs. Chair Kaiser advised he spoke to a performer who sings at the Civic Center and gave him this project to come up with a band. He thought originally a five or six piece band would be sufficient, but determined it would not provide the big band sound, so the band was increased to a 14 piece band plus the performer. He agreed to give him Mr. Bowman's contact information so he could sing a song in uniform. The ceremony would be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and then from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. Mr. Bregoli noted a letter to the editor in reference to fallen veterans. The article was submitted by George Fisher, President of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, indicating with veterans growing old over the years, Veterans Day has lost its meaning and many people view it as a sad day. The author suggested spending a few moments remembering those who made supreme sacrifices. Chair Kaiser commented there used to be a parade held in New York on Veterans Day, which was discontinued because no one attended. There was brief discussion about funding for the Battle of the Bulge monument. Chair Kaiser advised they have a deficit and they always accept funds. Mr. Livergood inquired, from a donation perspective, who to make check out too and if it was tax deductible. Mr. Gavlick suggested making donations payable to the American Legion, Post 164, earmarked to the Veterans Advisory Committee, and /or give them to Chair Kaiser who will hand carry the checks to the American Legion. Veterans from the Battle of the Bulge paid for some the monument and some of the cost for the band. Chair Kaiser wanted the Park to look like Arlington Cemetery, and he hoped Home Depot could assist with plants flowering at different times of the year. The Park needed color enhancements aside from the flags. Mr. Livergood advised the members are required to take Ethics Training. The video will be viewed in Chambers and after viewing, the members have to sign an acknowledgement. IX. NEW BUSINESS A. None X. BENEDICTION, MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER 4 Veterans Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Boynton Beach, Florida November 12, 2014 Chair Kaiser gave the Benediction. XI. NEXT BOARD MEETING The next meeting will be held on January 14, 2014, at 10 a.m. XII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Chair Kaiser adjourned the meeting at 10:57 a.m. datiftAl Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 121214 5