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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-02-2017 VAB MinutesM LT SEB-- TIAN HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2017, 3:00 PM CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN ST, SEBASTIAN, FL 1. VFW Commander John Haskins called the Veterans Advisory Committee Meeting to order at 3:00pm. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Present: John Haskins, Commander of the VFW Neil Baumgartner, Member of the VFW Butch Dawson, Alternate Member of the VFW Russ Pacowski, Commander of the American Legion Barney Giordan, Member of the American Legion Jerry Liucci, Alternate Member of the American Legion Absent: Debbi Hanford, Member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Also Present: Joe Griffin, City Manager Andrea Coy, Vice Mayor Jeanette Williams, City Clerk 3. VFW Commander John Haskins announced his designee, Neil Baumgartner and his alternate, Butch Dawson. 4. Commander Haskins announced Debbi Hanford for the VFW Ladies Auxiliary 5. American Legion Commander Pacowski announced his designee, Barney Giordan and alternate Jerry Liucci. 6. Mr. Baumgartner nominated Commander John Haskins with a SECOND by Commander Pacowski for chairman which passed with unanimous voice vote. 7. Commander Pacowski nominated Barney Giordan for vice chairman which passed with unanimous voice vote. 8. MOTION BY Mr. Giordan to approve the August 7, 2017 minutes which passed with unanimous voice vote. 9. OLD BUSINESS a. Location of Museum Commander Pocowski said the American Legion doesn't have the money for the museum and that it would need to be in air conditioning. Mr. Giordan suggested putting the museum location on hold. 10. PUBLIC INPUT Mike Roth, 2nd Vice Commander of the American Legion said he is looking for guidance from the Council. He would like to place a welcome sign coming into town for the American Legion and VFW inviting people to the Posts. He suggested a small sign under it showing the night they meet. He said people look for these types of clubs when they are passing through town. A lot of the other clubs are well represented but there are not any Veterans signs. Chairman Haskins said it is great idea but asked if permission would be needed from City. The City Manager stated that the signs are in the County and not in the City limits. Mr. Giordan suggested that Mr. Roth present his idea to Commissioner, Joe Flecher at Wednesday's Veteran's Council Meeting. Chairman Haskins said he would be happy to help prepare the signs. Vice Mayor Coy said that would be a good idea. She said there are signs in the City of Sebastian and asked who pays for them. The City Manager stated that some are paid for by the City and some are paid by the different clubs and with the County's permission, the City will hang them up. Vice Mayor Coy stated that she and both Commanders have been working on something unique for Veteran's Day this year. She said the Charter Jr. High will be conducting most of the ceremony; the kids will stand up and tell people what Veteran's Day means to them. She invited the public on November 111' at 11:00am in Riverview Park. She suggested that everyone attend to support the kids. Vice Mayor Coy stated that at the last Council meeting Chief Morris accepted the responsibility of doing the 9/11 Ceremony. Chairman Haskins thanked Vice Mayor Coy for all her help. He also extended thanks to Chief Morris and the City for all their help with the 9/11 ceremony. Commander Pacowski asked about Fire Department's involvement. Chairman Haskins said he was told by a couple firefighters that both the Chief and Assistant Chief are ready to retire and they really did not want to get involved in anything. 2 Vice Mayor Coy asked that the Fourth of July Order of Parade be placed on the next agenda. She was confused by the last minutes as to what their decision was and would like it clarified. Chairman Haskins agreed to have Order of Parade on the next agenda to affirm their intent. Mr. Giordan explained that the motion was to coordinate between the VFW, American Legion, Lions Club and the City to work out the Order of Parade. Vice Mayor Coy said she did not get that from the Motion and suggested that they need to work with the City because the Lion's Club may not be the ones doing the parade next year and the Lion's Club does not know anything about the Order of Parade. Chairman Haskins announced that Cootie Members are putting on a drive for toiletries for our Veterans. They will have a box at the VFW and he asked Commander Pacowski if they would put a box at the American Legion. Chairman Haskins said the Veterans need things like deodorant, socks and shaving gear. They will be getting this set up to be delivered to Veteran's for Christmas. Chairman Haskins announced the VFW post will sponsor a dinner at Thanksgiving for families in need. They are also working on a Christmas program for families with children who need help. He asked that contact information be submitted by anyone that knows of a family needing help. 11. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Giordan announced Community Night Out will be held on October Td at Riverview Park. He also announced a new program this year for the Veterans in the Classroom it will be initiated at the Principals Meeting in October. (See attached) Chairman Haskins asked for a moment of silence for the Las Vegas tragedy. 12. MEMBERS MATTERS Mr. Giordan suggested that the board send a letter of thanks to Wayne Newland for chairing the meeting for the last two years. The City Manager stated for the record that he did deliver the email from a Citizen, Ms. Anderson that was addressed to Mr. Newland. The City Manager said he checked on the tent usage for the Memorial Day event for the Honor Guard. There was a question as to the tent being set up for just Memorial Day or did the board want it set up for other events. Chairman Haskins requested the tent be set up for Veteran's Day and Memorial Day. The City Manager said he would work on getting the tent set up for Veteran's Day Ceremony. 3 13. A MOTION BY Mr. Giordan and a SECOND by Russ Pacowski to adjourn the Veterans Advisory Board Meeting at 3:31 pm passed with a unanimous voice vote. � - �7 )o- /-/ 7 By: John Haskins, Chairman Date 4th Of July Order of Parade 1. Military Honor Guard — Local Group The Honor Guard is the escort for the... 2. Grand Marshal All veterans groups fall -in behind the Grand Marshal 3. VFW Post 10210 — VFW federally chartered in 1899 4. American Legion Post 189 —American Legion federally chartered in 1919 5. Veteran's Council of Indian River County — incorporated 2011 6. Any other legitimate veteran's organization 7. Sebastian Police Department (if participating) 8. Sheriffs Department 9. City Council 10.Sharks HS Marching Band REMEMBER... THIS PARADE IS SPONSORED BY THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN If there is a conflict... Sebastian comes first. Ojgghm Veterans in the Classroom vmn�`c'i.; 2017-2018 Curriculum Indian River County Schools The Veterans Council of Indian River is happy to offer the following classroom visits to the students of our County. "Americanism" for 2nd & 3rd Grades ---NEW Approximately 30 minutes of discussion, oral presentation and video instruction for our younger children. It is our hope to expose the children to the concept of Americanism by discussing the American Flag, teaching the proper way to honor our Flag, and our Veterans, and to sing and march along to some American Music. "Americanism" for 5th through 8th Grades Approximately 45-50 minutes (designed to fit in one full period) of discussion, oral presentation and video instruction for our middle grade students. We discuss the Pledge of Allegiance and its meaning, Flag Etiquette, Star Spangle Banner creation and meaning. We give students a `hands on' section where we fold the American Flag into a Triangle for proper presentation. "Veterans Day" for 5th through 8th Grades Approximately 45-50 minutes (designed to fit in one full period) of discussion, oral presentation and video instruction for our middle grade students. We discuss what a Veteran is, and what it means to be a Veteran. We differentiate between Veterans Day & Memorial Day. We instruct the students as to the reason we honor our Veterans and what it is that they have provided for them. We talk about what the regular soldiers were nicknamed throughout America's history. We discuss women in the military, and offer examples of different ethnic groups that have made up our military. Q & A periods are always offered so that the students can interact with the Veterans that are in their class. "Memorial Day" for 7"' & 8th Grades Designed for a full period of discussion, oral presentation and video instruction about Memorial Day. We differentiate between Memorial Day and Veterans Day so students learn why we have both Holidays. Because of the nature of the material, we are leaning away from the 5th & 6th grades, however, if it is asked for, we will make an Elementary School presentation. We offer students an insight into the Military Honors associated with a Veteran's funeral or the burial of a combat soldier. We offer some American History education as regards the origination of Memorial Day, and how our fallen soldiers were honored around the World for their sacrifices. This year we ask, if at all possible, rather than spreading our instruction periods over 4 hours or so in the day, to instead please try to assemble the students in a larger group thereby cutting down the times we have to repeat the class. Perhaps an assembly program for half of the classes followed by a second to cover all the groups in the one day. Also, if possible, could the students be assigned to the proper facility or classroom IN ADVANCE of the program? Very often the students have to arrive at their classroom, then walk to the facility, and then find a seat, etc so that it cuts our classroom time from 45 minutes to 30. However, we will strive to give our students the best possible instruction in the time allotted. Thank you, Barney Giordan Program Director for Veterans Council of Indian River