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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-04-2017 VAB MinutesmYof SEAT," HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2017, 3:00 PM CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN ST, SEBASTIAN, FL VFW Commander John Haskins called the Veterans Advisory Committee Meeting to order at 3:01 pm. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. Present John Haskins, Commander of the VFW Russ Pacowski, Commander of the American Legion Andrea Coy, Member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Barney Giordan, Member of the American Legion Butch Dawson, Alternate Member of the VFW — arrived at 3:38pm Absent Neil Baumgartner, Member of the VFW Jerry Liucci, Alternate Member of the American Legion Also Present Margarita Hernandez, Parks Administrator Cathy Testa, Recording Secretary 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Ms. Coy to approve the October 2, 2017 minutes which passed with unanimous voice vote. 5. OLD BUSINESS I. Fourth of July Order of Parade Chairman Haskins read the Order of Parade. (See attached) He said the problem in the past has been the person lining up the parade did not have knowledge of the Order of Parade. This year the person will be given the list to follow which will alleviate the problem. Ms. Coy asked if the bus placed behind the Honor Guard could be at the end of the military section so it can pick up other Veterans that fall out during the parade. Mr. Packowski questioned the selection of the Grand Marshal. He recommended the oldest Veteran serve as Grand Marshal. Ms. Coy said the Lions Club is in charge of the parade so they choose the Grand Marshal. The committee asked the Parks Administrator to explore the possibility of that being changed. The Parks Administrator said the staff has a meeting scheduled with the Lions Club on December 29d' at 10am and she will advise them of the recommendation made by the committee.. MOTION by Ms. Coy to approve the Order of Parade which passed with unanimous voice vote. Military Museum at American Legion — Delete Project MOTION by Ms. Coy to delete the project and second by Chairman Haskins, which passed with unanimous voice vote. PUBLIC INPUT - None �i�I1�1;�P►1=��� i. Pearl Harbor Day Chairman Haskins announced the Pearl Harbor Day ceremony will be held Thursday December 7 h at 11:30am. The Mayor will speak at the ceremony. ii. Future Veteran Needs and Veteran Council Projects Chairman Haskins emphasized that there are a lot of Veterans in our community that need help. He asked that the American Legion work together with the VFW on projects to reach out to these Veterans. Mr. Giordan suggested bringing the idea in front of the Indian River County Veteran's Council to make it a community effort welcoming these Veterans back. Ms. Coy said that both the American Legion and the VFW members are older and they need to come up with ideas to attract new people. She spoke about projects to help City such as needs in the park. She cited things such as shade and more seating. She expressed to the Advisory Committee to come up with ideas for ways to help fund these projects. 8. MEMBERS MATTERS I. VFW a. Veterans Day / Patriots Pen Update Ms. Coy described Veterans Day as a huge success. Chairman Haskins said it was inspiring having the children involved and everyone hanging in there despite the rain. He commended the Sebastian Charter Junior High for the great job they did. Ms. Coy reminded the Committee that next year Veteran's Day will be on Sunday. She suggested changing the time of the ceremony to 1 pm. b. Toys 4 Tots Chairman Haskins announced they celebrated a Marine Corp. birthday at the VFW and held a Toys 4 Tots drive. They had a very big turn out and collected a lot of toys for the disadvantaged children in our area. The VFW will be having Christmas party for the disadvantaged children on December 23rd at 1 pm. 2 c. Purpose of Veterans Council Ms. Coy requested that at the next meeting when the City Manager attends she would like to discuss the relationship between the VFW, American Legion and the City. She indicated that Veterans are taking for granted how much the City does for them. ii. American Legion a. Honor Flight Program Mr. Giordan learned the Veterans Council's will announce at their next meeting that the Honor Flights Program has money available for any Veteran's attendee who would like to fly to Washington. He said this trip is also now available for Korean Veterans. b. Sebastian Middle School Breakfast Mr. Giordan said he attended a Veteran's breakfast at the Sebastian Middle School. He applauded Jack Hodges who organized the program. The attendance was high and everyone enjoyed the entertainment. The students from the Middle School raised money and will presenting a donation to the Veterans Council. c. Americanism Program Mr. Giordan announced the Americanism Program will start up again in the schools throughout the county after the beginning of the year. . d. St. Peters Academy Chairman Haskins announced that St. Peters Academy held a service for the Veterans. Each grade kindergarten through 5'h grade provided entertainment. They also presented the VFW with a donation for $500. 9. OTHER MATTERS Chairman Haskins asked if anything was accomplished with the signs discussed at the last meeting. Mr. Giordan said that Mike Roth brought the idea in front of the Veterans Council but has not heard any outcome. The Parks Administrator announced that there will be a service officer from the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) to staff an office at City Hall two or three days a week. The purpose is to assist Veterans with claims. This will be starting up at the beginning of next year. 10. ADJOURN With no further matters Chairman Haskins Adjourned the meeting at 3:56pm. IlyJ,oh��n jHaaskiri!Er Chairman V Date 3 4t' 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.