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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-10-2022 VAB MinutesVETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022, 3:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN ST., SEBASTIAN FL-32976 I. Acting Chairman Neil Baumgartner called the Veterans Advisory Committee meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. II. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all. III. Present Gary Shaw, VFW Commander (late arrival) Neil Baumgartner, VFW Member Kim Paskiewicz, VFW Auxiliary Member Gary Splecker, American Legion Member Stephen Hamerlin, American Legion Member Also Present Fred Jones, Vice Mayor, City of Sebastian John Kinlen Rick Lewis Brian Benton, Director of Leisure Services Joseph Perez, AV Technician Janet Graham, Technical Writer IV. Meetino Chair Makes Announcements — None V. Aaenda Modifications -- None VI. ADoroval of Minutes — December 6, 2021 Hearing no corrections/additions from the Committee members, Acting Chairman Baumgartner called for a motion. A motion approving the Minutes of the December 6, 2021 meeting as presented was made by Mr. Hamerlin, seconded by Mr. Spiecker, and approved unanimously via voice vote. VII. Unfinished Business — None VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 2 MINUTES OF MEETING OF JANUARY 10, 2022 Vill. Public Input Peter Puzzo, Sons of the American Legion, Sebastian. He informed the Veterans Advisory Committee that the Sons of the American Legion in Sebastian are going to be moving forward with a request to approve a new monument to be erected at Riverview Park in the area of the Circle of Honor. It would not be part of the main Circle; it would be off to the right side as one faces the American flags. It would be a stone very similar to the monuments already there, but his group would like to have it dedicated to the 82,000+ Americans who are still unaccounted for and considered POWs and MIAs. He is asking for the Committee's support in this endeavor before he presents it to the Sebastian City Council. Once the approval is obtained to go ahead, he will have all the numbers and other information, and he will come back at that point with what the cost will be, etc. Raising the funds necessary will be done through his organization. Thus, it will cost the City nothing other than whatever maintenance that is normally done around those monuments. Mr. Hamerlin asked for an estimate of what something like that would cost. Mr. Puzzo stated that he has no idea al this time. He will be working with the City Manager and Mr. Benton to find out what those costs have been in the past. He estimated it would be a few thousand dollars. He added that it is planned to take the grommets from the American flags that will be and have been retired at the Post, have them melted down and made into stars to be put on that monument in order to show our generations and future generations that our flag never dies but lives on. He stated that the inscription would be POWs/MIAs, in memory of all prisoners of war missing in action. He would like to have the POW insignia etched or chiseled onto the monument. During the year there are two particular days—POW/MIA Remembrance Day in September and in April there is the POW/MIA Family Day when members can go out and renew the flags that are in front of it. It was the consensus of the Board that this project should move forward. Mr. Rick Lewis reminded everyone that on February 50, 2022 there will be the Council picnic, which is free for all veterans in Indian River County. It will be at the fairgrounds with entertainment and food. The event starts at 11:00 a.m. IX. New Business A. 2022 Veterans' Events and Responsibilities Discussion VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 3 MINUTES OF MEETING OF JANUARY 10, 2022 Mr. Benton reviewed that at the last meeting it was discussed bringing forth the 2022 list of veterans' events and the responsibilities to ensure that each organization knows which events they are responsible for planning. In the agenda packet for this meeting he included a list of the veterans' events for 2022 (SEE ATTACHED). He did not include Wreaths Across America. That is run typically by Rick Lewis who comes to the City and oversees that one. If it is something that the Board wants to get more involved in, he can add that event as well. He called attention to the Patriot Day Ceremony, which in the past was started by the veterans and later was turned over to the Sebastian Police Department to organize. In speaking with the Chief, Mr. Benton was told that the Police Department is going to let him know whether they are going to work with the County to have an event in Vero similar to what they had planned last year. There have been some discussions about joining it with the Tunnel to Towers 5K race along with a larger 9-11 ceremony that would include all of the law enforcement within the County, including the Sebastian Police Department. So that may come back to this Board for oversight. He needs to know who is going to be responsible for the events on this list with question marks. It was suggested that when events are being held at the Veterans Memorial, it is difficult for those with the Honor Guard to hear what is being said, and maybe an additional speaker could be installed there. Mr. Benton stated the City can take care of that. (AT THIS POINT, MR. SHAW JOINED THE MEETING.) Mr. Hamerlin stated that at last week's Veterans Council meeting in Vero there was discussion regarding some items that had been brought to their attention. One is the Puppies for Life project. He will make copies of the information for dissemination. The annual golf tournament of the American Legion is on February 261h. Rick Lewis stated the golf tcumamenl will be held at Highland Pines. All the proceeds from this event go to Veterans Relief, which is an American Legion program to help veterans get reconditioned back into society. Mr. Hamerlin also discussed a registered nurse who is associated with Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of the Treasure Coast. He informed the group that there is a whole host of services available, both hospital stays and outside rehabilitation services available. He will pass that information on also. Mr. Shaw stated Encompass Health is a registered hospital so that they have direct admission. The veteran does not have to come from another hospital like is necessary at other rehabs or nursing homes. You only need a doctor's referral. There was general discussion regarding which organizations will be in charge of which VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF MEETING OF JANUARY 10, 2022 PAGE 4 events in 2022. Mr. Shaw stated the Memorial Day event will probably be organized by the Legion, Post 189. Regarding the July 4� event, Mr. Benton stated that at 8:00 a.m. there is a small ceremony at the Veterans Memorial that had been organized in the past. Peter Puzzo stated that in the past Norman Meyer with the Lions Club organized the 8:00 a.m. ceremony. He discussed how this ceremony has been done in the past. Mr. Benton staled that Dr. Meyer will handle the organization of that ceremony. Mr. Shaw stated that Veterans Day will be handled by the VFW this year, and Pearl Harbor Day will be handled by the American Legion. X. Staff Matters — None XI. Board or Committee Member Matters Mr. Baumgartner asked the Vice Mayor, Mr. Jones, if he had anything to add. Mr. Jones thanked everyone for their service and their support. XII. Items for the Next Aoenda and Date: Aoril 4. 2022 at 3:00 o.m. XIII. Adjournment There being no further business, Chairman Shaw adjourned the meeting at 3:22 p.m. By'//%� / Date: